Early stages
early Reassurance scaN £50.00
non refundable DEPOSIT OF £10 required TO SECURE THE BOOKING
6 – 16 weeks of pregnancy
2D abdominal ultrasound scan
Includes 2 x 2D Glossy photographs
A transvaginal scan (TVS) can be performed at no extra cost if required
The purpose of the early scan is to visually confirm your pregnancy using ultrasound. This can be reassuring during the first anxious stages of your pregnancy in the early weeks before or after your routine hospital scan.
ALL SCANS WILL BE PERFORMED BY QUALIFIED NHS TRAINED SONOGRAPHERS.
- check your baby’s heartbeat
- check whether the pregnancy is intrauterine (not ectopic)
- confirm the identification of a single or multiple pregnancy
- measure baby to confirm gestational age and provide you with an estimated due date (EDD)
- allow you to more accurately plan for additional tests such as NIPT or Nuchal Translucency
PREPARATION
As this is an abdominal scan it may be helpful to wear clothing that allows the sonographer easy access to your tummy region.
A full bladder is required for this scan. Please therefore, try and drink around 1 pint of water 1 hour prior to your scan.
We do have the facility to offer an internal scan (transvaginal). This will be determined by the sonographer during your scan and will be offered if the sonographer feels it would be beneficial. This is completely optional and would only be performed with your consent.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Sometimes it may be that we are unable to visualise a heartbeat on the day of your appointment. This may be because:
- your pregnancy appears earlier than you calculated and therefore is less than 7 weeks gestation on the day of your scan (this is especially common with ladies who have an irregular cycle) and in these instances we will discuss the necessity for you to have a further scan to allow for progression
- limited visibility due to a high body mass index (BMI)
- limited visibility due to a retroverted uterus (when the womb tilts backwards)
If this happens it may be necessary for us to contact your local early pregnancy assessment unit (EPAU).
What happens if an unexpected problem is detected?
Whilst we do not wish to worry you about your pregnancy, sometimes there may be a problem detected that is completely unexpected. It is important for you to understand that if the sonographer believes there may be a problem he/she has a ‘duty of care’ to discuss these findings with you and provide you with as much information as he/she reasonably can.
If necessary and with your permission we may contact your local hospital early pregnancy assessment unit (EPAU), maternity unit in case a medical follow-up is required. He/she may also write a letter explaining his/her concerns.
Occasionally the sonographer may require s second opinion. This does not necessarily mean that there is something wrong; many scan findings just need a ‘second look’ for reassurance. The sonographer will inform you of any such uncertain findings and discuss what your options are.
Get in Touch
Before The Stork Ltd
29 Sefton Street, Litherland, Liverpool, L21 7PD
0151 280 0543
Before the Stork do not offer an on-line booking service. We have been providing private scans since 2005 and believe you may benefit more from our vast experience and knowledge. We feel it is important for us to reach out to you before booking and therefore only arrange appointments via telephone. This allows you the opportunity to ask any questions and tell us any important information that you feel we should know about your pregnancy prior to your scan. Likewise, it allows us the opportunity to offer you our knowledge and expertise in advising you when the best time to book your scan might be and offer the most suitable scan for you.
We are however, more than happy to also respond to any questions /queries via email or direct message on any of our social media platforms.
We believe that this personal touch in sharing our knowledge is shown in the quality of the images that we consistently produce. Plus, it gives you a chance to get to know us or ask for a specific sonographer to perform your scan, that’s if you have a favourite of course!