General FAQs
The Pregnancy Clinic provides comprehensive, consultant-led care for women and families before, during, and after pregnancy. The Pregnancy Clinic provides planned, scheduled appointments only and does not offer urgent or emergency care. Any urgent concerns should be directed to your local NHS maternity unit or emergency services.
- Private antenatal care, offering personalised, consultant-led pregnancy care with continuity, clear planning, and expert oversight throughout pregnancy.
- Pregnancy consultations, tailored to your individual needs at different stages, including:
- Pre-conception consultations
- Antenatal consultations
- Postnatal consultations
- Pregnancy ultrasound scans, including a full range of scans from early reassurance and viability through to detailed growth and wellbeing scans in the third trimester.
- Pregnancy-related investigations, including non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), blood tests, and urine and vaginal swabs, where clinically appropriate.
We offer a comprehensive range of pregnancy ultrasound scans from early pregnancy through to the third trimester, including:
- Early reassurance and viability scans
- Nuchal scans (11–13 weeks)
- Detailed fetal anomaly scans
- Specialist fetal heart (cardiac) scans
- Cervical length assessment
- Growth and Doppler scans to monitor fetal wellbeing in later pregnancy
- 3D and 4D scans for reassurance and bonding
All scans are tailored to your stage of pregnancy, clinical circumstances, and individual needs, and are delivered within a consultant-led care pathway to ensure accurate assessment and clear, reassuring guidance.
All ultrasound scans at The Pregnancy Clinic are performed by Consultant Fetal Medicine specialists or highly experienced clinicians working within consultant-led pathways. This ensures high diagnostic accuracy and clear explanations at every appointment.
No referral is required. You can Book Your Appointment directly with us. If you have had previous scans or care elsewhere, you are welcome to bring those reports to your appointment.
At The Pregnancy Clinic, we believe pregnancy care should never feel rushed. Our ultrasound appointments are carefully scheduled to allow plenty of time for a detailed scan, clear and reassuring explanations, and a relaxed consultation where all your questions are welcome. Most appointments last around one hour, although this may vary depending on the type of scan. Our priority is to ensure you leave feeling informed, supported, and confident about your pregnancy care.
Yes. We welcome partners and a close support person to attend your scan, as we understand this is an important and reassuring part of your pregnancy care. As each appointment is also a medical consultation, we kindly ask that attendance is limited to one or two supporting family members or friends to ensure a calm and focused environment. If you wish for additional people to attend, please discuss this with our team in advance of your appointment.
Safety of Ultrasound scans & Reassurance
Yes. Ultrasound scans are widely used in pregnancy and are considered very safe for both mother and baby. Ultrasound uses sound waves, not radiation, to create images, and there is no evidence to suggest that ultrasound scans cause harm or adverse outcomes in pregnancy—even when scans are performed frequently.
At The Pregnancy Clinic, all ultrasound machines are specifically customised for use in pregnancy. They include built-in safeguards that carefully monitor thermal and mechanical indices, ensuring energy levels remain well within internationally accepted safety limits at all times. Scans are performed by highly trained specialists who use ultrasound responsibly and appropriately, focusing on obtaining the necessary clinical information while prioritising safety.
Ultrasound has been used in pregnancy for many decades and remains a cornerstone of modern antenatal care. You can feel confident that your scan is both safe and beneficial.
Yes. Colour Doppler ultrasound is safe when used appropriately by experienced professionals. It allows us to assess blood flow in the placenta, umbilical cord, and fetal vessels, providing important information about your baby’s wellbeing.
At The Pregnancy Clinic, Doppler is used selectively and thoughtfully, only when clinically helpful, and always within strict safety parameters. The same safety limits for thermal and mechanical indices apply, ensuring the scan remains well within safe levels.
Yes. The duration of a scan does not make it unsafe. Some detailed scans, such as fetal anomaly scans or detailed heart assessments, may take longer to ensure a thorough and accurate evaluation. Throughout the scan, ultrasound settings are continuously monitored and adjusted to remain within safe limits. Longer scan times reflect careful, detailed assessment—not increased risk.
Yes. There is no evidence that having multiple ultrasound scans during pregnancy causes harm to you or your baby. Many women have several scans as part of routine care or for reassurance and monitoring, particularly in higher-risk pregnancies. Repeated scans are commonly used worldwide to monitor growth, wellbeing, and placental function, and are considered safe when performed by trained professionals.
Yes. Having scans close together is safe. There is no minimum time interval required between ultrasound scans. If another scan is clinically indicated or would provide reassurance, it can be safely performed—even if you have had a scan recently. At The Pregnancy Clinic, each scan is carefully justified, focused, and tailored to your needs, ensuring both safety and value from every appointment.
If an unexpected is identified during your scan, it will be explained clearly, sensitively, and compassionately. Our priority is to ensure you fully understand what has been seen and what it may mean for your pregnancy. You will be supported by our Consultant who will:
- Explain the findings in a calm and understandable way
- Discuss whether further assessment or follow-up is needed
- Outline next steps and available options
- Liaise with your NHS fetal medicine or maternity team if appropriate
You will never be rushed or left without clear guidance. Our aim is to provide reassurance wherever possible and expert support whenever concerns arise.