| Frequently Asked Questions |
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Welcome to our FAQ section.
When can I have an ultrasound examination?
Pregnancy Scans are performed:
Gynaecological Scans can be performed whenever you, your GP or Gynaecologist requires them. 4D Scans are generally performed between 24 and 34 weeks gestation. (20 - 30 weeks for twins) 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 Baby Scans please see our Cocoon4D website.
How many scans must I have in my pregnancy?
However, most maternity professionals suggest that women have at least 2 scans:
If you have miscarried in a previous pregnancy or have worrying bleeding you may desire an Early Pregnancy Scan. If your baby is small and perhaps growing slowly your midwife or Obstetrician might request a Welfare Scan. Neither of these former two scans are routinely offered on the NHS. How is the ultrasound examination done?
Clear, warmed gel is squirted on to your tummy - the gel is water-based, harmless and won't damage your clothing. The gel is a couplant that enables the sound waves from the transducer to pass into your tummy. 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.
Who will perform my ultrasound examination?
During weekdays you may choose to see either a Sonographer or Consultant Obstetrician/Gynaecologist. On weekends there is a rotation of staff so you may not be able to choose a particular staff member to perform your scan, however the weekend staff are of the same high level of experience and qualification as those that work weekdays and all have been chosen by our Medical Director Mr. Darryl Maxwell. The people that you see on this website are the real people who will be caring for you photographed in our actual clinic. We do not use 'stock images' of models to advertise our services.
What qualifications do your Sonographers have?
They are not medical doctors but have all passed post graduate exams in the field of women's ultrasound. In addition all Sonographers and Consultants employed at the clinic are accredited by the Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF). Their work is audited annually by the FMF via precise measurements collated on our Viewpoint Fetal Database and they must submit images of the scans they have performed. Failure to pass a recognised quality threshold will result in non-renewal of their licence and they would not be permitted to practice.
Do I need a referral from my GP/Obstetrician or Midwife?
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.
Do I need a referral from my GP/Gynaecologist?
We do not employ practicing Gynaecologists at our centre, so if you refer yourself for a gynaecological scan you should be prepared to see your GP or Gynaecologist should the results of the scan necessitate further treatment. If you do not have a Gynaecologist we can happily recommend several private specialists near to our clinic.
Will having a Private Scan exclude me from any further NHS care?
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.
Must I be a British national or hiold an EU passport to use your services?
We often care for patients from many different nationalities outside the UK or EU.
Is 3D or 4D scanning more accurate than 2D?
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.
How far in advance do I need to book?
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), Fetal Medical Consultations 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.
What should I bring to my Pregnancy scan?
If you are having a CVS or Amniocenteses please bring details of your blood group with you. If you do not know your blood group we can arrange for a blood test to be performed on the same day at an additional cost. Patients attending for a 4D Scan should bring a sweet drink or snack which may be needed to stimulate your baby and help him or her to move into a better position.
What should I bring to my Gynaecological scan?
If you do not have any medical notes your Sonographer or Consultant will consult with you prior to the scan to determine your gynaecological history. This is a basic practice in any medical consultation before an examination. It provides the Sonographer or Consultant with vital information as to why they are doing the scan, what to look for and what things might look like.
When will I get the results of my 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.
Can I bring friends or family to watch my pregnancy scan?
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 quickly. 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.
Will I get a picture from my Pregnancy scan?
You may also purchase additional glossy thermal prints, photo quality enlargements, JPEG files delivered by email or all images captured during your 2D scan on a CD-ROM. For information on image options from 4D scans please see our Cocoon4D website.
Will I get a picture from my Gynaecological scan?
The reason is that GPs or Gynaecologists aren't usually interested in examining pictures from your gynaecological scan. They simply want to know our interpretation of what we have looked at and what we may have found. We are happy to supply one free glossy thermal print from your gynaecological scan, (please ask the operator during your appointment) the remainder can be purchased if required.
Can you me tell the gender of my baby?
We can tell the gender of your baby from 14 weeks gestation. During any routine scan from 14 weeks onwards there is no additional charge to reveal your baby's sex. We also offer Gender Identification scan appointments specifically to determine the gender of your baby. For more information please see our page on Gender Identification Scans .
Will the gender of my baby be on the report?
However if you would like gender added to your report please let the Sonographer or Consultant know during your scan appointment. For Gender Identification Scan appointments we do provide a written report detailing your baby's sex, however no other medical measurements are taken during this appointment. For more information please see our page on Gender Identification Scans.
Will my insurance cover the cost of private scans?
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.
This is to encourage attendance and contribute to our costs in the unlikely case of non-attendance. Private scans are a valuable resource for women and we are a busy clinic. Booked timeslots are often requested by patients 2 or 3 times over, so a booking that is not attended is sometimes wasted. All we ask is that you give us 48 hours notice should you wish to cancel or change your appointment. This gives us an opportunity to re-book the slot for another patient who may desperately need it. Providing you give us 48 hours notice of cancellation we will happily refund your deposit. Your booking is not confirmed until a deposit has been paid and your timeslot may be re-allocated 48 hours prior if no deposit is received in advance. You may visit our clinic and pay an advance deposit in cash should you not have access to a credit or debit card.
Can I pay my account monthly in arrears?
All patients must pay for their scan at the end of their appointment by cash, credit or debit card. We do not accept cheques.
Why are multiple pregnancies more costly?
We allocate a lengthier time slot for a multiple pregnancies to allow our expert staff time to perform a thorough examination. You must tell us at the booking stage if you are carrying more than one baby - especially if you have had IVF treatment and multiple eggs implanted. The one exception is for natural conception Early Pregnancy Scans where multiple pregnancies are often a wonderful surprise.
Why are appointments for Consultants more costly?
This is simply because of the higher staff cost associated with our highly qualified consultants. Booking with a Sonographer does not mean you will receive a lower quality service. In fact our expert Sonographers are trusted by some of the most experienced Obstetricians and Gynaecologists to perform scans on their patients. Appointment times for Consultants are limited and very popular so please ensure that you book in advance to avoid disappointment.
How many Amniocenteses/CVSs have you performed?
You can be assured that their skill is always at the highest level due to the high volume of cases performed in their NHS practices.
Must I have the blood test with the Nuchal Scan?
The blood sample taken in advance of your Nuchal Scan is to screen for Down, Edward's and Patau Syndromes. The screening is most accurate if the results of the blood test are analysed along with a scan at 11 to 14 weeks into your pregnancy. However, some people will not want to have the screening, so there is no reason why they should not have a scan to date their pregnancy and check that all is well. In this case we would simply perform an Early Pregnancy Scan.
Do I need to arrive with a full bladder?
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.
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.
What should I wear for an ultrasound examination?
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 towel 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 will be asked to remove all high-heeled shoes before lying on the ultrasound couch.
How long has ultrasound been in use?
Most doctors practicing now could not recall a time when ultrasound hasn't been used to assess women's health and pregnancies.
Yes. When used by trained professionals with the lowest possible levels and for the very short periods of exposure there is absolutely no harm caused to mother or unborn baby. This applies to 2D, 3D & 4D ultrasound.
When should I book my ultrasound examination?
Our Fetal Medicine Specialists are in high demand so the earlier you call us the more chance you have of reserving an available appointment. We have more available scanning time with our highly qualified sobographers so in an emergency it is sometimes possible to reserve an appointment for the next or even the same day.
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“I wanted to thank you both once again for all your assistance earlier this year & last year.
It was wonderful to have your support throughout the pregnancy.”