There are ultrasound facilities at Epsom and St Helier hospitals. All women are routinely offered two scans during pregnancy and more will be offered depending on clinical need. These scans are carried out between 11 and 13 weeks, and again between 20 and 22 weeks.
An ultrasound scan is a medical investigation as well as an opportunity to see your baby on the screen, so it is important to understand the reasons why each scan is being performed.
Scans may be needed in early pregnancy if there are signs of miscarriage or other complications, or if there have been problems previously.
Routine scans
11–13 week (Nuchal Translucency) scan
This scan is performed in order to assess the risk of the baby having Down's syndrome or other significant abnormalities. The baby is measured (this decides the expected date of delivery) and a measurement is taken at the back of the baby’s neck. Mother's age, blood test results and these measurements can be used to calculate the risk of Down's syndrome (you can decline this if you wish) and you may be offered further tests if the risk is high. These tests will be explained in the event of a 'screen positive' result and can be performed at both Epsom and St Helier hospitals by experienced consultants. If the pregnancy is twins (or more) we will try to determine whether they are identical or not at this scan.
20 week (Anomaly) scan
This scan is performed specifically to look for any structural abnormalities in the baby. Sometimes we are unable to see everything we wish to, and a further scan is required. If there are any concerns about the baby, you may be referred for further scans by a specialist obstetrician.
Scans in later pregnancy
For some women there may be a need for scans in later pregnancy. The timing, frequency and content of these scans are determined on an individual basis. It may be necessary to perform a transvaginal scan in some circumstances to locate the placental site.
Seeing your baby in 3D
St Helier Hospital is able to offer you a private 3D scan in addition to the routine scans. This will allow you to see images, and the features of your baby's face, hands and feet from about 26- 32 weeks of your pregnancy.
The scan takes place in the antenatal clinic by a qualified sonographer. Your appointment may last for around half an hour, sometimes longer, depending how 'cooperative' your baby is to being watched. You will be asked to read and sign a consent form prior to the scan.
The quality of the scan can be affected by many factors. We would like to make you aware that occasionally we are not able to produce good 3D images. If your baby insists on only showing us the back of the head, or places the limbs over the face, or is snuggled up to a placenta, then there may be little that we can do, despite all our best efforts and tricks. Your body shape can also affect the quality of the scan.
If you wish us to try and determine the sex of your baby during the scan, we would be happy to do this. But there is no guarantee that we will get this right, and there is about a 5% failure rate.
The scan begins in 2D (normal scan) and when a favourable position of your baby is found we will switch to 3D. We will capture some still images of your baby as they occur, as well as recording the scan onto a DVD for you to keep.
To book your scan, please telephone 07975 232 167 (Monday - Friday, 8am - 4pm). Please use our online form for any enquiries or feedback.
Payment for your scan may be made at the same time as the booking with a credit card or debit card. If you wish to make payment by cash you will need to go to the cashier's office on the first floor of the main building between B and C block at least one week before your scan appointment. The cashier's office is open Monday - Friday between 9.30am and 2.30pm.
We look forward to seeing you.
