Frequently asked questions

Yes, appointments are recommended. Scan time is planned in advance, which keeps waiting down and means the doctor has enough time for your examination. You can call the centre or message on WhatsApp with the scan you need.

Your doctor's referral or prescription, any previous reports, and any earlier scan images or films. For a pregnancy scan, bring your antenatal card or record if you have one — previous measurements help put the current scan in context.

It depends on the examination. Some abdominal and pelvic scans need a full bladder; some abdominal scans need a period of fasting. Pregnancy scans in the second and third trimesters usually need neither. The specific instructions for your examination are shared when your appointment is confirmed.

Your referral usually names the scan. Timing matters most for the NT scan, which has to fall between 11 and 13+6 weeks, and for the anomaly scan, usually carried out between 18 and 22 weeks. If your referral is unclear, message us before you travel and our team will help you confirm.

Ultrasound uses sound waves rather than ionising radiation and is widely used in routine pregnancy care when performed for a medical indication by trained professionals. Scans here are carried out because there is a clinical reason for them.

Most often because some views could not be completed — the baby's position, the stage of pregnancy or imaging conditions on the day can all limit what is visible. Being asked to return to finish a review is common and is not, on its own, an indication that something is wrong. Your doctor will tell you if there is a different reason.

3D and 4D imaging is used where it adds to the clinical examination. Whether useful 3D images can be obtained depends on the baby's position, the amount of fluid in front of the face and the stage of pregnancy — so it cannot be guaranteed at any particular appointment. The purpose of the scan remains the medical assessment.

Reporting time depends on the examination; our team will tell you when to expect your report when you attend. Findings are reported to you and to your treating doctor, who advises on any next step and is the right person to discuss what the results mean for your care.

It varies by examination. A detailed anomaly scan takes longer than most, and a doctor may pause and return to a view if the baby is not in a helpful position. Please allow more time than the scan itself for registration and reporting.

Yes. Please let our team know when you book, as space in the scanning room is limited and some examinations need quiet concentration.