You can have an ultrasound examination at almost any time.

In pregnancy ultrasound scans are performed from 5 weeks with an Early Pregnancy Scan, from 11 weeks and 3 days with the First Trimester Nuchal Scan, from 20 weeks with a Fetal Anomaly Scan and from 14 weeks to full term with Fetal Welfare Scans.

Of course if there are any concerns with your baby, pains or abnormal bleeding we can scan anywhere in between these dates.

Gynaecological Scans can be performed whenever your GP or Gynaecologist requires them.

4D scans are generally performed between 24 and 34 weeks gestation. Some parents are unsure if they like the images from a 4D Scan so we now offer a quick 4D preview during any pregnancy scan. Click here to learn more about our unique 4D Sneaky Peek service.

For more information on 4D scans please see our Cocoon4D website.

First you lie back and relax on our electrically adjustable ultrasound couch.

Clear, warmed gel is squirted on to your tummy - the gel is water-based, harmless and won't damage your clothing.

The operator then places the the ultrasound transducer on the gel and directs it towards your pelvis.

When the scan is performed in this way it is called Transabdominal Scanning.

Sometimes early in pregnancy or for gynaecological scans the operator will need to perform an internal scan.

For this we will use a long thin probe which is inserted into the birth canal.

When the scan is performed in this way it is called Transvaginal Scanning.

This type of scanning is not painful and usually produces the most accurate images in early pregnancy or for gynaecology.

Sometimes we place the transducer external to the birth canal when we wish to look specifically at the muscles of the pelvic floor.

When the scan is performed in this way it is called Transperineal Scanning. 

No, you do not need a medical referral to attend our clinic.

If you have had previous scans please bring any reports or notes with you.

Our scan reports are prepared to the highest medical standards and we will happily forward yours on to your GP, Obstetrician or Midwife.

All patients must pay a deposit that will be subtracted from your account on the day of attendance.

No.

Our procedures and reports are equal to or exceed current NHS standards and will be happily accepted by NHS clinical staff.

For pregnancy many parents come to us for scans that aren't routinely offered on the NHS, such as the Early Pregnancy Scan or Fetal Welfare Scans, and then go on to have their baby delivered on the NHS.

For Gynaecological Scans having a Private Scan that suits your schedule is often an advantage. However your NHS Gynaecologist will still need to see our scan report so using our services is not a substitute for seeing a doctor.

No.

Although the new technology 3D and 4D scans are finding increased clinical use they presently offer no advantages over conventional 2D scans in terms of accuracy.

Even in the field of Gender Identification 3D/4D is no advantage, however it is sometimes useful for the parents to positively identify the baby's genitals as confirmation of what the sonographer has seen in 2D.

We will not be able to tell if your baby has Down Syndrome by using a 3D/4D scan. 

If you know the dates of your pregnancy it is possible book all of your obstetric scans from the day that you test positive for pregnancy!

However most of our patients like to wait until they have had their Early Pregnancy Scan before making future appointments.

We are a busy private clinic so the earlier you book the more likely we will have appointments available to suit your schedule.

Of course we often have free slots due to cancellations and for emergencies so it's worth calling bookings on 020 7935 4450 to discover what appointments are available.

Not all scans and procedures can be performed at any time as we employ specialists in the various techniques who only work on certain days.

Specialist procedures like Amniocentesis, Chorion Villus Sampling (CVS) or Fetal Heart Scans are only performed by our team of Consultants, so please be prepared to be flexible with your choice of day for these appointments.

For most routine pregnancy or gynaecological examinations you will receive your printed report immediately after your scan.

Your Sonographer or Consultant will have discussed their findings during your appointment but if there is anything on the scan report that you would like explaining please ask before you leave the clinic.

Provided you have given a blood sample at least 4 days in advance of your appointment we will be able to give you results of your First Trimester Nuchal Scan and Down Syndrome Screening during your appointment.

Laboratory results from more complex procedures like the Quadruple Test, Amniocentesis or Chorion Villus Sampling (CVS) take at least 4 working days for the initial result and 10 days or more for cultured specimens. A report from specialist scans such as Fetal Heart Scans generally take 24 - 48 hours to be finalised.

Fibronectin Tests take 24 hours to obtain the result.

Yes of course.

Our spacious scanning suite can accommodate up to four seated people to watch your scan images on a large, high definition plasma screen.

Young children must be under the supervision of an adult who is not being scanned at all times.

Parents should be aware that whilst an ultrasound scan can be very exciting for adults, children often can't decipher the images and tend to get bored very easily. So that you receive the best, most accurate examination we may ask that noisy or active children leave the scanning suite accompanied by an adult for the remainder of the appointment.

If an internal scan (transvaginal) is necessary for early pregnancy or gynaecological scans, it may also be appropriate for children to leave the scanning suite.

Yes. You may take home a picture from any ultrasound scan.

We offer a range of images from glossy thermal prints straight from the ultrasound machine, to a CD-ROM containing all the images captured during your 2D scan.

Prices for the images are from £2.50 per thermal print to £20.00 for a CD-ROM.

For information on images from 4D scans please see our Cocoon4D website.

Yes.

We can tell the gender of your baby from 13 weeks gestation.

During any routine scan from 20 weeks onwards there is no additional charge to reveal your baby's sex.

We also offer appointments specifically to determine the gender of your baby.

For more information please see our page on Gender Identification Scans.

The short answer is sometimes.

You must apply in advance for a pre-authorisation number from your insurance company before we can forward your account to them.

Gynaecological scans are usually covered by insurance but private pregnancy scans often are not. 

A quick check before your appointment to see if you are covered will avoid any confusion at reception after your scan.

Often you will have to self-pay for your appointment and then claim all or some of the cost back from your medical insurance company.

Policies and procedures vary between insurance companies so you must make a prior inquiry and arrangement with your provider before attending your appointment.

Sometimes.

For Early Pregnancy Scans, First Trimester Nuchal Scans, Gender Identification Scans up to 20 weeks and all Gynaecological Scans please arrive with a full bladder.

If you aren't able to arrive with a full bladder your appointment may be delayed as you may have to wait in the Patient Lounge and drink lots of water.

Scans performed later in pregnancy do not need a full bladder.

Internal scans (transvaginal) are best performed with an empty bladder.

For most routine scans we need to see your tummy from the belly button down to the pubic bone, so loose adjustable clothing is most practical.

The warm, ultrasound jelly that we use is water-based and does not mark clothing.

For an internal scan (transvaginal) it will be necessary to remove all clothing below the waist. (We give you a clean, white towell to wrap around and preserve your modesty.)

If you anticipate having an internal scan, you should bear this in mind when choosing what to wear on the day.

You may be asked to remove all high-heeled shoes before lying on the ultrasound couch.

Ultrasound is high frequency sound waves that are out of the range of human hearing.

Using a transducer the ultrasound machine transmits high frequency sound waves and then detects the small amount of sound that is reflected back.

These received sound echoes are used to build up a picture that displayed in 2D, 3D or 4D. (4D is 3D with movement)

Your baby is totally unaware and unaffected by these high frequency sound waves.

Ultrasound does not use radiation or x-rays to create images.

For more than 30 years.

Most doctors practicing now could not recall a time when ultrasound hasn't been used to assess women's health and pregnancies.