Early Gender and Fetal Wellbeing Scan
Our early gender and fetal wellbeing scans provide you with the opportunity to find out the sex of your baby in the early stage of pregnancy, along with providing reassurance on the progress of your pregnancy.
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What is an early gender and fetal wellbeing scan?
Our early gender and fetal wellbeing scans provide you with the opportunity to find out the sex of your baby between 16 and 19 weeks of gestation, along with providing reassurance on the progress of the pregnancy.
This scan is performed by our experienced sonographers and is used to assess your baby’s growth and development, their basic anatomy, the position of your placenta, and the amount of amniotic fluid around your baby. If you wish, you can also find out the sex of your baby at this scan.
If you have a history of having a short cervix or of preterm delivery or concerns regarding premature delivery, a cervical assessment can also be completed along with this scan. This is used to estimate your risk of having a premature birth, and is best performed from 16 weeks of pregnancy to measure the length of the cervix and identify any possible shortening.
At Welbeck, all of these tests and scans take place within our state-of-the-art Women’s Health centre and are performed by our specialist sonographers.
How your baby’s growth is assessed
To assess your baby’s growth and development, we’ll take a number of measurements, including their head circumference, abdominal circumference and femur (thigh bone) length. Combined, these measurements can be used to estimate the weight of your baby, and can also be plotted on the centile chart to show their overall growth.
What anatomy will be checked on my baby?
Yes, a basic anatomy check will be performed. This is a systematic assessment of the key structures and anatomy of your baby, including their head/brain, face/lips, heart, stomach, kidneys, bladder, upper and lower limbs, spine, and abdominal wall.
This is done to check that they’re developing as expected, and to identify any potential abnormalities within the limits of the gestation.
What does an early gender and fetal wellbeing scan involve?
This scan is performed over the tummy – a transabdominal scan. Ultrasound gel will be applied to your tummy so that an ultrasound probe can be easily moved back and forth. Live images will appear on a screen for you and your sonographer to see.
Should you wish to add on a cervical assessment, we may recommend doing this via transvaginal imaging, as this can be a more accurate way to measure the cervical length. This will be discussed with you at the time of the scan.
If you’re having a transvaginal (internal) ultrasound, you’ll be asked to lie on your back with your legs apart and knees bent. A lubricated probe will be gently inserted into your vagina, and images will be produced on a screen. The probe will be fitted with a sterile, latex-free cover, and will be moved slowly and gently to obtain images of your uterus and pelvis.
Is ultrasound safe in pregnancy?
There are no known risks to you or your baby from having an ultrasound scan, either with transabdominal or transvaginal imaging.
At Welbeck, we want to do everything we can to help you feel safe and comfortable in our care. If you would like, you can request a trained chaperone to attend the scan with you.
How to prepare for an early gender and fetal wellbeing scan
There is no preparation required to have an early gender and fetal wellbeing scan.
What happens after the scan?
Should any abnormalities be detected, or if your sonographer requires a second opinion, we will recommend that you have a repeat scan with a fetal medicine specialist.
We’ll discuss the scan findings with you at the time of the scan and provide you with a copy of the full report for your records, which can also be shared with your midwife or obstetrician. Any recommendations for further testing or referrals will be clearly communicated to you.
How much does a private early gender and fetal wellbeing scan cost?
At Welbeck, an early gender and fetal wellbeing scan costs £250.
Why choose Welbeck?
It’s common to feel worried or anxious during pregnancy, at any stage. At Welbeck, we offer expectant parents peace of mind through advanced fetal monitoring and testing and are committed to supporting you at every stage of your pregnancy.
With access to colleagues across other specialties, we are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if needed to ensure you receive the best possible treatment as quickly as possible, all under one roof.
All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.
Booking a private early gender and fetal wellbeing scan
If you’d like to book a private early gender and fetal wellbeing scan, simply get in touch with our Women’s Health centre to make an appointment.
FAQs
Will I receive images?
Yes. Along with your report, we will provide you with printed images and hard copies for you to take home and share.
What is an early gender and fetal wellbeing scan?
What does an early gender and fetal wellbeing scan involve?
Is ultrasound safe in pregnancy?
How to prepare for an early gender and fetal wellbeing scan
What happens after the scan?
How much does a private early gender and fetal wellbeing scan cost?
Why choose Welbeck?
Booking a private early gender and fetal wellbeing scan
FAQs