Third-Trimester Wellbeing/Reassurance Scan
A third-trimester pregnancy scan, or reassurance scan, takes place between 24 and 40 weeks of gestation and is used to assess your baby’s growth and wellbeing.
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What is a third-trimester wellbeing scan?
As your pregnancy progresses, there may be times when you’d like extra confirmation and reassurance that everything is progressing as it should be.
Wellbeing scans are recommended and can provide peace of mind to any pregnant woman. They are particularly important for those who have a history of complications in previous pregnancy, too. These may include having a small or large baby, placental issues or any medical conditions such as diabetes, thyroid problems or those with underlying medical conditions such as raised blood pressure/pre-eclampsia, or known risk factors within the current pregnancy.
At Welbeck, third-trimester dating scans are performed in our state-of-the-art Women’s Health centre. The scan is done by one of our specialist sonographers, and you will be provided with a same-day report and results.
What is assessed in a wellbeing scan?
Wellbeing ultrasound scans check that your pregnancy is progressing as it should, ensuring you and your baby are on track for a healthy and safe delivery.
Performed by one of our specialist sonographers, wellbeing and growth scans are performed to:
assess your baby’s heartbeat and view fetal movements
see the position of your baby
check the position of the placenta, ensuring it’s not low lying near the birth canal for a safe mode of delivery. As well as the position, we assess the appearance and function of the placenta by checking blood flow to your baby (an umbilical artery doppler reading)
measure your amniotic fluid levels (the fluid surrounding your baby) to check they are within normal limits
check fetal biometry – this includes measuring your baby’s head circumference, abdominal circumference and femur length (thigh bone). This is then plotted on a centile/growth chart, which generates the size and estimated weight of your baby, plotting it on a national average centile chart
check fetal anatomy to exclude any late-onset development of anomalies, where possible
What does a third-trimester wellbeing scan involve?
The third-trimester scan is performed via a transabdominal scan (over your tummy). A warm gel is applied to your abdomen, and the ultrasound probe is moved into different positions to obtain the views required for assessment.
In some cases, we may advise that the scan is performed transvaginally (via your vagina). This is a safe method of scanning and may be offered to provide more information about your cervix at this stage. If you have a low-lying placenta, this method can also assess how far your placenta is from your cervix, which cannot be done accurately via a transabdominal 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 small, 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 the probe 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 do I prepare for the scan?
We recommend you attend your appointment with a full bladder. This allows optimal visualisation via transabdominal imaging. Should a different imaging technique and transvaginal scan be recommended, we will ask you to empty your bladder.
What will happen after my scan?
After your scan, you’ll be provided with a detailed report, and any findings will be discussed with you. This will include a growth chart plotting your baby’s overall growth. Images of your baby will be provided along with the detailed ultrasound report to take home. Should we find anything of concern, or if any further scans or assessments are required, we will also discuss these with you.
What should I do with the results?
Your obstetrician or midwife may wish to see your scan report to understand the overall health and wellbeing of your pregnancy.
How much does a private third-trimester wellbeing scan cost?
At Welbeck, a third-trimester scan costs £230.
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 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 third-trimester wellbeing scan
If you’d like to book a private third-trimester ultrasound scan, simply get in touch with our Women’s Health centre to make an appointment.
FAQs
How many scans should you have in your third trimester?
For expectant parents with low-risk pregnancies, a scan in the first trimester and another in the second trimester are usually the only ones required. However, a scan, or multiple scans, may be offered in the third trimester if your consultant has previously identified any risks, or if you’d simply like some reassurance that your baby is healthy and that everything is progressing as it should.
Can a third-trimester scan tell me the weight of my baby?
A third-trimester ultrasound scan can provide the estimated weight of your baby, but there’s a margin for error of around 10% to 15%, so your baby might weigh a little more or less when they arrive.
Do you offer ultrasound imaging in 4D?
Yes. Although the main purpose of the scans is to assess the overall health and wellbeing of your pregnancy and your baby, we can offer the 4D scan imaging once the sonographer has performed all the required checks and 2D imaging. Should you wish to have the 4D imaging previews for a keepsake, please ask your sonographer at the time of your scan.
What is a third-trimester wellbeing scan?
What does a third-trimester wellbeing scan involve?
Is ultrasound safe in pregnancy?
How do I prepare for the scan?
What will happen after my scan?
How much does a private third-trimester wellbeing scan cost?
Why choose Welbeck?
Booking a private third-trimester wellbeing scan
FAQs