SHORT ANSWER: No, it's not a good idea to have a gender scan before 16 weeks because your baby's sex organs won't have developed enough to show up on an ultrasound. If you want to know the gender as early as possible, DNA-based blood tests are available from just 6 weeks.

Finding out whether you're having a boy or a girl is a very exciting part of the pregnancy journey, and understandably, many parents-to-be are eager to find out the sex as early as possible.

Here at First Encounters Ultrasound, we offer gender scans starting from 16 weeks into your pregnancy. This is the earliest point at which we can be reasonably confident of obtaining accurate gender confirmation via an ultrasound scan.

If you're searching for a private baby scan clinic near Newport, First Encounters Ultrasound is right on your doorstep.

Located just off junction 30 of the M4, our clinic is a mere 15-minute drive from Newport city centre, making us a convenient choice for expectant parents looking for an early pregnancy scan, gender confirmation or a 3D/4D bonding experiences.

The first ultrasound scan of your pregnancy is exciting, but it can also be a little nerve-racking. You may well be wondering what to expect from this experience and how much time you need to set aside for it.

To help ease your mind, let's talk about how long ultrasounds take and discuss the different factors that may affect the duration of your scan.

There are many reasons why you may wish to book a growth scan at one point or another during your pregnancy.

We are thrilled to announce that the First Encounters clinic in Cardiff has upgraded to the Voluson Signature 18 ultrasound system!

Ultrasound scans use sound waves to create a picture of your baby in the womb, but what else can they reveal?

In this blog post, we’ll go over the different things that an ultrasound scan can tell you about your pregnancy and discuss why ultrasound scans are such an essential part of prenatal care.

If you've had a baby scan before, whether with the NHS or at a private ultrasound clinic like First Encounters, you were probably advised you to arrive with a full bladder – but why? Ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging technique, so why do you need to have a full bladder?

In this blog, we will explore how a full bladder helps sonographers to get a clear picture of your baby.

Hearing your baby’s heartbeat for the first time is a much-anticipated pregnancy milestone. It’s a magic moment, and for expectant parents who are concerned about their baby’s wellbeing, it can also provide very welcome reassurance.

So how long exactly do you have to wait for an audible heartbeat? Keep reading to find out when and how you can hear your baby’s heartbeat for the first time…