Your first look at your baby’s development

An early pregnancy or “viability” scan is usually carried out between 7 and 10 weeks of gestation. Sometimes called a dating scan, it offers an important first check of your pregnancy’s progress and gives you an estimated due date.

What the Scan Checks

• Confirms the pregnancy is inside the uterus (rules out ectopic pregnancy)
• Detects the baby’s heartbeat and monitors early growth
• Shows whether it’s a single or multiple pregnancy
• Estimates gestational age and due date accurately
• Highlights any obvious early abnormalities
• Looks for signs of internal bleeding, haematomas or complications

How the Scan Is Performed

Most early scans are done across the abdomen. In very early pregnancies or when more detail is needed, a transvaginal scan may be suggested. Both are safe and provide essential information about early pregnancy health.

Why Choose a Private Viability Scan?

• Early reassurance about your baby’s wellbeing
• Faster appointments with minimal waiting
• Personalised care and a calm environment
• Access to expert sonographers and high-quality imaging

Many people choose a private scan to gain peace of mind in the first trimester, especially after fertility treatment or previous pregnancy complications.

Who Might Benefit Most

A viability scan can be particularly helpful if you:

• Are experiencing pain, bleeding or other concerning symptoms
• Have a history of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy
• Conceived through fertility treatment
• Simply want early confirmation of your pregnancy’s progress

An important early screening for your baby’s health

The nuchal translucency scan – often called the NT scan – is performed between 11 weeks + 3 days and 13 weeks + 6 days of pregnancy. It measures the fluid space at the back of your baby’s neck using ultrasound. A larger-than-expected measurement can be linked with chromosomal conditions such as Down syndrome (trisomy 21), Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18) and Patau syndrome (trisomy 13).

This scan is usually done across the abdomen but may be carried out transvaginally if clearer images are needed. It is often paired with a maternal blood test to form the combined screening, recommended to all pregnant women in the UK.

What the NT Scan Aims to Do

• Estimate the chance of chromosomal conditions by measuring the nuchal translucency
• Provide an early look at your baby’s development and anatomy
• Support accurate pregnancy dating and next steps in your care

It’s important to remember that the NT scan is a screening test, not a diagnosis. It gives an estimate of risk but cannot confirm a condition on its own.

When NT Measurements Are Higher Than Expected

An NT measurement of 3.5 mm or above is considered outside the typical range and may signal an increased likelihood of chromosomal or structural issues, such as heart defects. In this situation, your healthcare provider will discuss further testing options with you, which may include:

• Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT): A simple blood test analysing fetal DNA
• Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS): A diagnostic test involving a placental sample
• Amniocentesis: A diagnostic test using amniotic fluid
• Early fetal cardiac or anatomy scans

These can provide clearer information about your baby’s health.

An early look at your baby’s development and wellbeing

The Early Anomaly Scan – sometimes called a reassurance scan – is performed between 14 and 19 weeks of pregnancy. It offers an early opportunity to review your baby’s anatomy and detect any major physical differences before the routine mid-pregnancy scan.

When the Scan Takes Place

This ultrasound is carried out from 14 to 19 weeks of gestation and gives an initial overview of your baby’s growth and structure. Because development continues, a follow-up detailed anomaly scan is usually recommended between 20 and 24 weeks.

What the Scan Looks At

During the appointment we assess your baby, placenta and amniotic fluid, including:

• Brain and face – checking for structural differences
  
  
• Spine and limbs – alignment and development
• Heart and chest – heart structure and early function
• Abdominal organs – stomach, kidneys and bladder
• Placenta and fluid – position and volume

If we identify a concern, its significance will be explained and you’ll be offered further counselling with a consultant. From 15 weeks onwards, it’s also usually possible to confirm your baby’s sex during this scan. (Alternatively, NIPT can provide this information even earlier alongside genetic screening.)

How the Scan Is Performed

The Early Anomaly Scan is typically done transabdominally (across the tummy). In some cases, a transvaginal scan may be recommended for clearer images. Both methods are safe and provide valuable insight into your baby’s health.

Who May Benefit Most

This scan can be particularly reassuring if:

• You have a family history of congenital conditions
• A previous scan has raised possible concerns
• You’d like early confirmation of your baby’s wellbeing

A comprehensive mid-pregnancy ultrasound

Also known as the 20-week scan, the Anomaly Scan is a detailed ultrasound performed between 20 and 24 weeks of pregnancy. It provides a thorough assessment of your baby’s anatomy and development at this important stage.

When the Scan Takes Place

Scheduled from 20 to 24 weeks, this scan offers an in-depth overview of your baby’s growth, structures and overall wellbeing.

What the Scan Covers

During the appointment, our sonographer carefully checks:

• Brain and spine – screening for neural tube defects
• Heart – looking for congenital heart conditions
• Face – identifying features such as cleft lip or palate
• Abdominal organs – assessing the stomach, kidneys and bladder
  
  
• Limbs – ensuring normal growth and formation
• Placenta and amniotic fluid – checking location, volume and health
  
  

Measurements of your baby’s size are also taken to confirm healthy growth. In addition, a uterine artery Doppler study is performed to estimate your risk of developing pre-eclampsia (pregnancy-related high blood pressure).

If you’d like to know your baby’s sex, this can usually be determined during the scan.

If any differences or potential concerns are identified, their significance will be explained to you and further counselling with a consultant will be offered.

How the Scan Is Performed

The Anomaly Scan is typically done transabdominally. A small amount of gel is placed on your tummy and a handheld ultrasound probe is used to create detailed images of your baby. This is safe, non-invasive and painless.

Why This Scan Matters

This mid-pregnancy scan is a key part of routine care, allowing early identification of structural differences and reassurance about your baby’s development.

Checking on your baby’s health and growth in the later stages of pregnancy

The fetal wellbeing – or growth – scan is a key ultrasound performed in the third trimester to monitor your baby’s development. It offers reassurance for expectant parents while providing your healthcare team with important clinical information about your pregnancy.

When the Scan Takes Place

This scan is usually done at around 32 weeks, but can be performed any time from 26 weeks up to full term. If closer monitoring is needed, your doctor may recommend a series of scans at intervals of 2–4 weeks.

Why the Wellbeing Scan Matters

This scan helps to:

• Confirm that your baby is growing at a healthy rate
• Detect any potential concerns such as reduced growth, low amniotic fluid or placental issues
• Check your baby’s position, which is important for birth planning
• Provide peace of mind as you approach delivery
  
  

What the Scan Assesses

Using advanced ultrasound, our team checks:

• Fetal growth and estimated weight
• Development of organs
• Amniotic fluid levels – identifying too little or too much
• Fetal movement and activity
• Placental position and function
• Blood flow in the umbilical cord and key vessels (Doppler scan) to ensure your baby is receiving sufficient oxygen and nutrients

If anything unusual is found, we’ll advise on further scans or consultations.

After the Scan

Follow-up wellbeing scans can be arranged at any time for reassurance or monitoring. If serial scans are recommended, they’ll be scheduled at the intervals advised by your doctor (often every 2–4 weeks)

Measuring your cervix to help prevent premature birth

A cervical scan is a simple, highly accurate ultrasound that measures the length of your cervix during pregnancy. It’s a key screening tool for women at higher risk of preterm birth.

Why a Cervical Scan Matters

The cervix acts like a protective “gate” during pregnancy. If it shortens or begins to open too early, the likelihood of preterm labour increases.
You may be advised to have a cervical scan if you:

• Have had a previous preterm birth (especially before 34 weeks)
• Have undergone cervical surgery such as LLETZ or cone biopsy
• Are carrying twins or more
• Have a uterine anomaly (bicornuate, didelphys, septate uterus, etc.)
• Have experienced a second-trimester loss
• Had a caesarean section performed at full cervical dilatation

By measuring the cervix early, potential problems can be identified and treated to reduce the risk of early delivery.

When It’s Performed

• Typically between 16 and 24 weeks of pregnancy
• In higher-risk cases, scans may start at 16 weeks and be repeated every 2–3 weeks depending on your results
  

How the Scan Is Done

• Performed transvaginally (through the vagina) for the most accurate view
• Takes only a few minutes and is usually not painful
• A slim ultrasound probe is gently inserted to visualise and measure the cervix
• You’ll be asked to empty your bladder beforehand for greater comfort and clearer images
  

Understanding Your Results

• A normal cervical length is 25 mm or more
• If your cervix measures less than 25 mm, your clinician may discuss:
  • Progesterone treatment (vaginal pessaries)
  • Cervical stitch (cerclage)
  • More frequent monitoring
    

All results and recommendations are explained clearly at the appointment so you know exactly what the next steps are for you and your baby.

Specialist Doppler studies of key blood vessels in you and your baby to assess placental function, oxygen supply and fetal health.

See your little one like never before. Our gentle 3D and 4D scans show beautifully clear pictures of your baby’s face, hands and movements, so you can watch those tiny kicks and stretches in real time. It’s a special chance to bond with your baby and feel reassured about how they’re growing.

Tailored scans at closer intervals to monitor the growth and wellbeing of twins or higher-order multiples.

Confirms whether your baby is head-down, breech or transverse to assist with delivery planning.

Comprehensive specialist scans for conditions such as placental dysfunction, fetal growth restriction, pre-eclampsia and complications of multiple pregnancy.