Pregnant women are offered two routine ultrasound scans during pregnancy, this is called the Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme. 

The Nuchal Translucency scan is offered between 12-14 weeks of pregnancy to screen for the most common chromosomal conditions including Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ Syndrome and Patau’s syndrome.

The other routine pregnancy scan offered by the NHS is around 20 weeks of pregnancy called the Anomaly scan. The purpose of this ultrasound scan is to assess your baby’s physical development and to look for 11 rare conditions, including head/brain and heart conditions.

Serial or individual Fetal Wellbeing and Growth scans may be offered to you by your pregnancy care team if;

• The placenta is low lying at the 20 week Anomaly scan
• The Sonographer or Fetal Medicine Specialist is monitoring a condition present which was determined at the Nuchal Translucency or Anomaly Scan
• If the baby was measuring small for dates (SFD) or large for dates (LFD) at the 20 week Anomaly Scan
• If there is a previous history of birth where there was premature delivery
• If there is a previous history of pre-eclampsia in pregnancy
• If there is a medical history of Maternal Type1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes or Gestational diabetes
• If there is a medical history of maternal Thyroid problems or Fibroids
• The Midwife or Doctor measures the baby bump with a tape measure as small for dates (SFD) or large for dates (LFD)
• If the midwife or doctor thinks that your baby is in breech presentation

Parents-to-be often come to have a second or third trimester private pregnancy scan with us for the following reasons:

• A third trimester Fetal Wellbeing and Growth scan is not offered routinely within the NHS
• The NHS Sonographer reported findings during your pregnancy scan and a second opinion is needed
• You would prefer a more comprehensive, detailed ultrasound scan to be performed in a calming and relaxing environment
• You would like some extra reassurance in your pregnancy
• To assess for Vasa Previa. A rare but severe condition in which blood vessels cross or run near the internal cervical os. Diagnosis of such complications can give your antenatal team the best opportunity to ensure you and baby are safe during delivery.
• If the midwife or doctor thinks that your baby is in breech presentation and you would like a second opinion

A Fetal Wellbeing Scan is performed any time from 24 weeks of pregnancy. Your baby’s growth is assessed by ultrasound, which is more accurate than the traditional tape measure used by the antenatal team in the NHS. Measurements are taken of baby’s head (the head circumference or HC), the size of the baby’s tummy (the abdominal circumference or AC) and the length of the baby’s upper leg (femur length or FL). These measurements can give an Estimated Fetal Weight, EFW, which can help predict baby’s weight at birth. These measurements are plotted on a growth velocity chart, which is printed on a report that you can show your midwife at your next antenatal appointment.

Further checks include the position, or presentation, of baby and the volume of amniotic fluid (AFI) which baby is surrounded by. The Umbilical Doppler blood flow in the Umbilical cord is also assessed.

A consistent growth pattern, normal amount of amniotic fluid and normal umbilical doppler can reassure that your baby is thriving. Assessing the position of the placenta and blood vessels reassures that your baby will be delivered safely.

We recommend that all parents-to-be consider having a Fetal Wellbeing and Growth scan at around 36 weeks of pregnancy. This third trimester scan can provide reassurance that there are no signs of birth complications, by confirming the presentation of baby, the size of baby and assessing the doppler blood flow and fluid. This third trimester checks can help you feel confident about baby’s birth.

Depending on the fetal position and advanced gestation (as the pregnancy progresses it becomes harder to see all of baby’s anatomy), the sonographer will try to visualise major organs and structures. This is an advanced gestation anomaly scan.

• The Midwife or Doctor measures the baby bump with a tape measure as small for dates (SFD) or large for dates (LFD)
• A third trimester Fetal Wellbeing and Growth scan is not offered routinely within the NHS
• If there is a previous history of birth where there was premature delivery
• You would like some extra reassurance in your pregnancy
• You would prefer a more comprehensive, detailed ultrasound scan to be performed in a calming and relaxing environment
• The NHS Sonographer reported findings during your pregnancy scan and a second opinion is needed
• If you are experiencing reduced movements, or a change in pattern of your baby’s movement
• To assess for Vasa Previa. A rare but severe condition in which blood vessels cross or run near the internal cervical os. Diagnosis of such complications can give your antenatal team the best opportunity to ensure you and baby are safe during delivery.
• If you experience adverse symptoms such as bleeding or fluid loss
• If there is a previous history of pre-eclampsia in pregnancy
• The placenta is low lying at the 20 week Anomaly scan and you wish to fly from 28 weeks of pregnancy.
• The Sonographer or Fetal Medicine Specialist is monitoring a condition present which was determined at the Nuchal Translucency or Anatomy Scan
• If the baby was measuring small for dates (SFD) or large for dates (LFD) at the 20 week Anomaly Scan
• If there is a medical history of Maternal Type1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes or Gestational diabetes
• If there is a medical history of maternal Thyroid problems or Fibroids

Our Specialist Sonographers are very experienced, they will take time to answer your questions and concerns. You will be given a comprehensive ultrasound report to show to your antenatal team for further discussion.

• In the majority of pregnancies a Fetal Wellbeing and Growth Scan can be performed by one of our experienced sonographers. All of our sonographers are fully qualified and accredited, so you are in safe, expert hands.
• If however, you are experiencing complications with your pregnancy or need a second opinion, a Fetal Wellbeing and Growth ultrasound scan with our Consultant Obstetrician is recommended.

We offer morning, afternoon and evening availability during the week, as well as weekend appointments. A surcharge will be applied for evening and weekend appointments. We have a wide range of availability therefore same day appointments can be easily arranged. Our Sonographers are here to reassure even at short notice.

The Birth Company is the first clinic in UK to offer this service allowing you to share your pregnancy ultrasound with friends and family wherever they are in the world. This optional recording can be shared via Email, Facebook, Instagram and X formerly known as Twitter. We will offer this to you routinely at the end of the scan. The transmission is instantaneous. Please note on this system currently there is no sound, only video. It is a national policy not to permit patient or partner's phone recording in a room. Simply tell your sonographer that you would like an electronic transmission of your scan. It will appear on your phone immediately.

No preparation is required.

A further Fetal Well-being and Growth scan (including Doppler) can be done anytime if there is a continuing concern. Where serial growth scans are recommended, a period of 2-4 weeks between scans gives the best opportunity to assess baby’s growth pattern.

A Cervical Length Assessment can be added to your Wellbeing/Growth Scan - Click here for more details

A 3D/4D 'HD Live can be performed anytime between 26 - 32 Weeks- Click here for more details

Upgrade to the Bronze Package if you have already had a Reassurance scan - Click here for more details