| Meet Your Baby Frequently Asked questions and information. |
| Who performs my Ultrasound Scan? |
| All our Sonographers are regulated by the HPC (Health Professional Council) and have carried out many thousands of 2D, 3D and 4D Ultrasound scans both in the private and public (NHS) sectors and our Lead Senior Reporting Sonographer - Mrs Samuel (based at our Leeds centre) is a Certified Diagnostic Medical Radiographer with a First Class Honours Degree in Radiology & Imaging Sciences, so you can rest assured, that our work is monitored and regulated to the very highest professional and clinical standards. Mrs Samuel and her team, are on hand to help and guide you throughout your scan, so feel free to ask any questions. |
| Additionally, Meet Your Baby is Registered, Certified and Regulated by the UK Governments Care Quality Commission (CQC). Only providers who are registered with the CQC can undertake this type of work. The CQC ensure that essential clinical standards are met, and that your Health, Safety and Welfare are our first priority. Do not use an Ultrasound provider who is not registered with the CQC as they are in breach of the Health and Social Care Act, and may not be meeting these essential standards. |
| Will my scan detect any abnormalities? |
| A Meet Your Baby Scan is a non-medical non-diagnostic or screening scan. We do not provide anomaly reports and all mothers should attend their routine hospital scan(s) However, all our scanning suite staff are fully trained Medical Sonographers and in the event that anything suspicious is seen, we will immediately act upon our duty of care, to inform you and liaise with your midwife or obstetrician to inform them of our findings, if required. |
| Does a Meet Your Baby Scan replace my hospital scans? |
| No. A Meet Your Baby Ultrasound Scan is in no way a replacement for your routine hospital appointments and scans. You should always attend your hospital scans as required. |
| Are Ultrasound Baby Scans safe? |
| Yes. We use exactly the same ultrasound technology that is used in hospitals daily. Additionally, over 30 years of ultrasound clinical practice and numerous research papers have not shown any adverse side effects for either mother or baby linked to ultrasound scanning. We practice the A.L.A.R.A principle, which stands for As Low As Reasonably Achievable, meaning that the ultrasound settings are very low, but it is still possible to achieve incredible images. In addition, we follow the scanner settings recommended by BMUS, British Medical Ultrasound Society. |
| 2D Dating Scan information. |
| Dating scans are normally carried out from 8 to 12 weeks gestation, as this is the period when the dating accuracy is higher. It is also fair to say that during this period there is more to see, and a heartbeat is usually visible. Dating accuracy is dependent on gestation, but is typically +/- 3 days during this period. At 8-12 weeks, you would normally see the dark shape of the uterus, and a darker grey smooth edged body (your baby). Dependant on gestation, you may also see the head /face shape, early stage leg and arm growth, and a clearer fluttering heartbeat within the body. |
| You can bring 8 guests with you to your scan, and children are welcome, but are under your supervision whilst you are with us. |
| At MYB, our female Sonographers, only carry out non intrusive Trans-Abdominal Ultrasound Scans. A raised maternal Body Mass Index can reduce image quality, however this does not prevent us from dating your pregnancy, or providing a written report. |
| The report confirms your estimated due date, baby’s’ length (Crown-rump), the condition of your Ovaries / Uterus / Liquor Clarity (the fluid around baby), and if we see any Adnexal masses. Your bladder will need to be full for this scan. The scan will normally be 10 -15 minutes long, dependant on gestation, and you should feel free to ask the Sonographer questions during your scan. |
| 2D Reassurance Scan information. |
| Reassurance scans are normally carried out from 8 weeks to Birth. Dependant on gestation, you may also see the You can bring 8 guests with you to your scan, and children are welcome, but are under your supervision whilst you are with us. head /face shape, early stage leg and arm growth, and a clearer fluttering heartbeat within the body. At MYB, our female Sonographers, only carry out non intrusive Trans-Abdominal Ultrasound Scans. A raised maternal Body Mass Index can reduce image quality, however this does not normally prevent us from providing a written well-being report. The report confirms baby’s measurements, Heart Beat’s per minute (BPM) , the position of the placenta (Anterior / Posterior / Low lying/ Covering the OS) Amniotic Fluid levels (Normal / Abnormal) and Foetal lie (vertex / Breech / Transverse). Your bladder will need to be full for this scan. The scan will normally be 10 -15 minutes long, dependant on gestation, and you should feel free to ask the Sonographer questions during your scan. |
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| 2D Sexing / Gender Confirmation Scans (with 4D sneaky peak up to 24 weeks) |
| Sexing scans are carried out from 16 weeks to Birth as this is the period when we can accurately confirm the gender of your baby. |
| Sexing before 16 weeks is extremely inaccurate (50/50) and as such we wouldn’t advise confirmation before this time. MYB will not sex before 16 weeks for any reason. Whilst we enjoy an industry leading sexing accuracy record, we currently disclaim to 16+ = 99.9% accuracy (for legal reasons only). |
| At MYB, our female Sonographers, only carry out non intrusive Trans-Abdominal Ultrasound Scans. A raised maternal Body Mass Index can reduce image quality; however this doesn’t normally prevent us from confirming sex your pregnancy. The scan is normally 15 minutes long and in 2D. |
| 4D Sneaky peek – If you are from 16 to 24 weeks pregnant, we will provide you with a few moments of 4D imagery at the end of your scan (dependant on position of baby). However, If you are over 24 weeks pregnant, the sneaky peek will not be provided and the whole scan will be in 2D. |
| Following the scan, you will be provided 2 x 2D Black & White photographs and a CD-Rom disc of the 2D photographic images. These will be printed onto photographic paper. A 2D DVD is available for £10 & Heartbeat Bears are £19.99. |
| If for unforeseen reasons we cannot sex your baby, you will be asked to take a comfort break, and later re-enter the scanning suite. If we are still unable to sex baby, the scan will change to a reassurance scan, and the remaining balance will be due even if we are unable to confirm the gender. |
| 16w to 24 weeks – Full Bladder (1.5 pints water) 24 w+ Half Full Bladder ( 1 pint water) Sexing twins – Additional £20. |
| 3D/4D Baby Bonding Scans |
| 4D scans are carried out from 24 to 34 weeks gestation. However, from an image quality perspective, we recommend the following times as the optimal time, based on our experience - Normal pregnancy – 26 to 29 weeks. Twin pregnancy – 22 to 24 weeks High Maternal Body Mass Index Pregnancy – 29th weeks Anterior Placenta Pregnancy – 25th week. Other medical / personal conditions – please email for advice, or discuss during booking conversation. If you attend in the 24th week, will normally be visible, but your baby may look skeletal. |
| What should I expect from a 3D/4D ultrasound scan? |
| Your scan will consist of a series of ultrasound waves, which build a 2D image. Our Sonographer will then capture the image and use the latest scanning technology to create a 3D image. When real time is added, you then see the 4D moving image of your baby. |
| What will I see during my Baby Bonding Scan? |
| Our 4D ultrasound technology can allow you to see your baby moving around, changing position kicking and stretching. Sometimes we capture babies blinking, yawning or even sucking it's thumb. In fact anything your unborn baby chooses to do in the womb during the scan will be seen during your 4D real time scan. |
| Will a Baby Bonding Scan always be successful? |
| On some occasions your baby may not be in the ideal position for scanning. If this happens to be the case during your scan, we may ask you to go for a short walk which may encourage the baby to move. We ask that you consume a fizzy sugary drink (such as Lucozade) and a bar of chocolate 30-40 minutes before your scan, and to drink cold water upon arrival for your scan. If you suffer from Diabetes, or another diet related medical condition, you should just drink cold water and walk around. |
| Baby Bonding Rescans (Applicable to Rainbow / Little Star and Little Bear Packages only) |
| If we are unable to obtain images of your babys face during the intial scan you will normally be offered a rescan to be taken on a 7-10 days later, on a weekday evening. However, full payment for the booked package will be payable, following your initial scan. See terms and conditions for full details. |
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| Position and Presentation 2D (4D*) scan |
| P & P scans are normally carried out from 35 weeks gestation to birth (but can be carried out as early as 33 weeks for reassurance purposes). The 35 week plus period, is recommended, as it allows us to provide information and measurements that are useful. The report confirms your babys current Weight / Length Abdomen / Head Circumference / Fluid Levels, Baby & Placenta Positions. |
| *Please note - If time and image quality allows, we will try to obtain 4D images too during the scan, but this is not guaranteed, although over 90% do get great 4D images. |
| Your bladder will need to be full for this scan. |
| At MYB, our female Sonographers, only carry out non intrusive Trans-Abdominal Ultrasound Scans. A raised maternal Body Mass Index can reduce image quality, however this does not prevent us from measuring your pregnancy, or providing a written report. |
| The scan will normally be 20 minutes long and you should feel free to ask the Sonographer questions during your scan. |
| Can I bring family or friends with me? |
| At Meet Your Baby we know that your baby scan will be a magical bonding experience. You are welcome to invite your family and friends along to the Studio to share this experience with you. We can accommodate the scanee and 8 guests in the Studio, but should you wish to invite further guests, please let us know so we can accommodate. If you have children, you are also welcome to bring them along to your Baby Bonding Scan and we have facilities available for them to play in Reception and also in the Scanning Studio so they can see their new baby too, however, they are under your responsibility and care at all times. |
| Do I need a full bladder? |
| For our Dating & Sexing Scans it is recommended that you have a full bladder for your scan. For our 3D/4D Scans you do need to have a partially filled bladder as this aids the movement of the ultrasound waves, so giving a clearer image. However, your bladder doesn’t need to be full, so you will be able to enjoy your scanning experience in complete comfort. For our Positioning & Presentation Scan you need to have a partially filled bladder. |
| Do I need to bring anything with me and how should I prepare? |
| Yes. You should bring your Pregnancy / Hospital Notes for all types of Scan, including the contact details for your midwife, GP or Obstetrician so that we may contact them if necessary. If you are booked in for a 3D/4D Scan you should also consume a sugary fizzy drink and a bar of chocolate 30- 40 minute before your scan (this may be used to stimulate your baby to move more during your scan). However, if you suffer from gestational diabetes, please ask for advice. |
| Can you tell me the sex of my baby? |
| In most cases we should be able to tell you the sex of your baby. If you do not wish to know the sex of your baby, please let us know at time of booking or when you attend your appointment. Sexing is free of charge for our Rainbow, Little Star and Little Bear Packages if required. |
| Can I have a Baby Bonding Scan if I am expecting twins or triplets? |
| Yes, we are able to scan multiple births. Please let us know at the time of booking so that we can book you a longer appointment. There is a small premium for multiple births, please see our Packages Page for more information. |
| How do I pay? |
| We accept credit/debit cards, paypal, cheque, postal order and cash. A non refundable £30 deposit is required when booking to secure your appointment. The outstanding payment must be made on the day of your scan, even if we ask you to return for a free re-scan. |
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