Slide 1

Reassurance and Gender Scans + Anomaly Scan + Growth Scan

From
16 – 23 + 6
weeks

Reassurance and Gender scans

Why have a reassurance scan?

The wait between your dating and anomaly scan can seem so long! From 16 weeks you (for the most part) feel entirely normal again, don’t necessarily feel pregnant and to the outside world you don’t look pregnant – so what is going on in there…… Or if you just cannot wait to find out the gender then we can help with that too.

What we do…

We measure the head, tummy and thigh to get an estimated weight and see how well your baby is growing in relation to your due date. Have a general assessment of your baby, check the movements, placenta and fluid (if the gender is obvious during the scan we will tell you).

We can determine your baby’s gender with very high accuracy, we take our time and look in a number of different views to clearly see little girl’s bits or little boy’s, it’s that simple! If your baby is being decidedly shy (or awkward) or we are not convinced ourselves then we will re-book you free of charge – we want to be certain!)

If you don’t want to know the gender we can keep that secret as well that’s no problem at all.

As an addition to the scan, we also try to have a glimpse at your little one in 4D and take pictures for you both in 2D and 3D if your baby allows (we don’t have a maximum number of pictures we take, depends on how well your little one poses!). Sometimes your baby may be in a position where we cannot see it’s face in 3D/4D and we won’t be able to take pictures – but we will try!)

From 16 weeks

After the scan...

We will discuss everything that we have seen throughout the scan and complete a report with our findings, along with the pictures we have taken throughout the scan.

If we find anything of concern during the scan we discuss this with you giving you plenty of time to ask questions. We create a report and contact your local maternity hospital to arrange follow up for you.

18+6
weeks
to 21+6
weeks

Anomaly Scan

Why would you have an anomaly scan?

An anomaly scan can be performed from 18+6 weeks to 21+6 weeks but ideally performed around 20 weeks. The scan will effectively check your baby’s development from head to toe, assessing the growth, placental position and amniotic fluid. We can perform this scan with the flexibility of your timescale not always achieved with the NHS.

We can also provide this scan as a second opinion to an anomaly scan already performed or to complete an anomaly scan when all structures have not been clearly seen.

What we do…

We measure your baby’s femur, head an abdominal circumference to compare the growth against the due date. The following anatomical structures are also assessed; Skull/brain, profile/lips, heart/chest, abdomen/cord insertion, kidneys, bladder, limbs, spine and placental position. The scan is performed to the Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme (FASP) standards set out by Public Heath England for clinical care standards within the NHS.

The anomaly scan is a screening tool; it cannot see every abnormality and it does not guarantee a healthy baby. Some problems/abnormalities may not be present or visible but develop at a later stage (for example diaphragmatic hernia).

Throughout the scan we talk you through everything we are looking at so you get to know your little one and how well it is developing. We also take pictures in 2D for you and have a little look in 4D as well.

18+6 weeks to 21+6 weeks

After the scan...

A detailed report will be created with all our findings and discussed with you giving you every opportunity to ask questions. This report should go alongside your maternity notes.

If any problems or abnormalities are found, these will be discussed with you and where possible/known the implications will also be discussed. A referral will be made for you to your local midwife, GP or local hospital/antenatal clinic and appropriate follow up will be arranged.

Sometimes when abnormalities are found we cannot give you the exact implications/outcomes for your baby, we will give you as much information as possible but you will require specialist referral for a clear diagnosis.

(Please note this scan may be available for free at your local NHS hospital)

24 weeks to term

Growth Scan

Why have a growth scan?

Sometimes the wait from seeing your baby at the half way stage at the 20 week scan to it being in your arms can be a long time! This scan does not need a referral from a healthcare professional so can be performed whenever you feel the need for additional reassurance of how well your baby is growing and what it is up to in there.

Having a scan in the third trimester gives you so much clinical information as to how well your baby is doing. Assessing the growth as the placenta starts to mature is essential, how much amniotic fluid is around the baby, how they are behaving during the scan and of course what position they are in gives you a great picture of reassurance.

If a concern has been raised about reduced fetal movements, slow fundal growth height, or even increased fundal growth height we can give that visual reassurance that your baby is doing beautifully at a timescale that suits you.
What we do..

We have a good look at your little one and discuss everything as we move around your baby. For the growth assessment we measure the head, tummy and thigh to get an estimated weight and compare this in relation to the due date which will demonstrate where your baby is within the growth range. We assess the placenta and also the position of your baby to the placenta, so if reduced movements are a concern, we can show you where you will expect to feel your baby move. The fluid is assessed either visually or measured to ensure it is within the normal range.

We also see what your baby is up to in there and check its general behaviour – pictures are taken where possible (dependant on position and gestation) and if we can we will also have a look in 4D. IF YOUR BABY IS IN A GOOD POSITION WE CAN UPGRADE THE SCAN TO A 4D ONCE ALL CHECKS HAVE BEEN MADE.

As with all our scans you are given the opportunity to ask questions throughout the scan.

24 weeks to term.

After the scan...

We will discuss everything that we have seen throughout the scan and create a report with our findings for you to take away.

If any problems are found, these will be discussed with you and where possible/known the implications will also be discussed. A referral will be made for you to your local midwife, GP or local hospital/antenatal clinic and appropriate follow up will be arranged.

I cannot recommend Lindsay enough!! I've seen Lindsay a few times after a really difficult time to make sure things were getting back to normal and she's always been so lovely and helpful. She's always on hand to answer any questions I have and I cannot thank her enough xx

Leanne

Kayleigh

My name is Kayleigh and I have worked with The Scanning Room for over 8 years, and over 20 years of experience within the NHS.

I started my career as a Healthcare Assistant (HCA) in 2004, then training as an assistant practitioner and radiographer. I Identified a passion for ultrasound in 2014 and successfully transitioned to the specialty through a secondment and training at King's College London where I achieved a PGd in Medical Ultrasound. I have extensive experience working across various NHS hospitals, honing sonography skills and building a strong foundation in this field.

I have a keen interest in women's health, actively participating in ongoing gynaecological and obstetric training to maintain comprehensive evidence- based knowledge.

I enjoy all elements of women's health sonography, from diagnosing gynecologically concerns and infertility assessments to witnessing the joy of expectant mothers during their pregnancy scans.

I love being able to contribute to our supportive team environment, and working with my friends/ Sonographers at the Scanning Room.

Daisy

I'm Daisy, I trained initially as a diagnostic radiographer in 2013 at Kingston & St George's University of London but knowing I always wanted to be a sonographer went into further study and specialized in ultrasound in 2018 at City University of London where I obtained a master's degree in medical ultrasound imaging. Currently I work both at the scanning room and in the NHS and I absolutely love my job.

I feel very passionately about giving our women and their families a very high standard of care and making sure they leave feeling reassured, empowered, and listened to. I believe that the more informed and relaxed women can be whilst undergoing gynaecological assessment, fertility treatment, when pregnant or just generally regarding their pelvic health, is only a good thing and I am proud to work at the scanning room where I know our close-knit and friendly team really do achieve this.

As a new mum myself, you'll find me spending lots of quality time with my family when I'm not scanning, as well as trying to renovate our home and trying to squeeze as much travel and fun in where we can.

Lucy

I am part of the reception team and I have been lucky enough to be a member of The Scanning Room family for 5 years now. I have two amazing grown up children, two incredibly naughty dogs, one very old and very demanding horse and I look after my friend’s small flock of 6 sheep!

After I’ve sorted all the animals out coming into the clinic is soo lovely and just what I need, the kettle is barely ever cold, the biscuit tin is, nearly!!!, always full and I get to spend a happy few hours chatting to our lovely families and laughing with, while learning from, our incredibly kind team of sonographers.

Being people centric has always been at the route of my working life. I started out as a Nanny for two gorgeous families, then after having my two, I worked as a fundraiser for a charity that provides activity centres with wheelchair accessible boats.

During an evening out with Lindsay, who is a very, very, very old friend of mine, we hatched a plan for me to join her growing Scanning Room family, and here I am 5 years in. I have learnt so very much about ‘how babies are made’ in terms of fertility, how our bodies work, how babies develop and grow within the womb and how our bodies change and evolve as we approach menopause.

Everyday is a learning day with The Scanning Room Team and everyday is full of fun, love and support.

I absolutely love my Job and I feel incredibly honoured to be a very small part of the life adventures our lovely families and individuals are experiencing.

Take care and I’m looking forward to seeing you all soon,

Ivy

Hello, my name is Ivy and I currently work for The Scanning Room and NHS as a Sonographer. After graduating with a degree in Diagnostic Radiography at the University of Exeter in 2013, I went on to complete a Post Graduate Diploma in Medical Ultrasound at City University 2018. I undertake obstetrics, gynaecology, general abdominal and MSK ultrasound scans.

I love my role as a Sonographer, especially providing reassurance to soon-to-be parents in one of the most special but sometimes worrying times of their lives. I have recently qualified in MSK ultrasound at the UWE and can now provide diagnostic scans for predominantly lumps and bumps and suspected muscle/tendon/ligament tears. In my spare time I enjoy playing tennis and running along the seafront with my husband, usually followed by coffee and cake!

After the scan...

We will create a detailed report for you with everything that we have seen and also give you pictures of your little bean.

Throughout the scan we will be talking about what your baby is doing, how it is developing and what it can do – such a lovely insight into your baby’s world.

If we sadly find that the things are not progressing as they should we discuss everything that we can see, giving you plenty of time to ask questions. We create a report and contact your local early pregnancy unit (EPU) for a follow up appointment.

What we do…

Usually performed over the tummy as transabdominal scan, for this reason having a moderately full bladder will help to see the pregnancy more clearly in the early weeks.

We will measure your little one crown to rump to get an estimated due date and assess that everything is developing normally for that number of weeks. We will also confirm that the pregnancy is in the right place within the uterus and check that the uterus and ovaries appear normal.

We also have the option of performing an internal scan if we don’t get great views over the tummy. This is entirely safe in early pregnancy and will be discussed with you as an option where needed.

So why would you have an early scan?

For most women they just want, or need to see their baby and confirm that the pregnancy is real! For others they may have sadly experienced a miscarriage and just need the peace of mind and reassurance that an early scan can bring. Time really seems to drag in the first trimester, seeing is certainly believing!

An early pregnancy scan will confirm the presence of a heartbeat, diagnose a single or multiple pregnancy and establish an estimated due date. It can be performed from 7 weeks of pregnancy, before this time it is not always possible to see the fetal heart beating but can confirm the pregnancy is in the right place and developing as it should for the number of weeks you are.

We also see women who have had bleeding and can’t be seen quickly in their local early pregnancy unit, or those that have had a loss of symptoms and are concerned – we can provide you with a service that fully assess how you are progressing and will give you all the information you need.

This early scan is not routinely available on the NHS and does not require a GP or Midwife referral.