4D Growth & Wellbeing Scan | First Encounters Ultrasound

Detailed Description

The 4DgrowthAssure™ scan can be conducted between 24 and 32 weeks gestation (after your NHS anomaly scan). This reassurance scan focuses on the progressive development and wellbeing of your unborn baby combined with 3D/4D imaging.

During the scan your fully-qualified obstetric Sonographer will carry out growth measurements and weight calculations, establish placenta position and fluid volume, provide an audible heartbeat trace, and identify the position of your baby. All of this will be documented in the form of a growthAssure™ Report providing valuable information to share with your midwife. 3D/4D imagery will be obtained in segments during the process of diagnostic evaluation using advanced HDlive imaging software.

Your 4D growth and wellbeing scan will be conducted using an abdominal ultrasound probe (external on the abdomen), and it is important to recognise that imagery obtained is derived from the reflection of sound waves passing through your abdomen creating the visual image. The level of diagnostic evaluation and visibility achievable can differ greatly between clients, especially in cases of a high BMI which can result in poor image resolution possibly leading to an inconclusive evaluation.

Please Note: The primary purpose of this 4D growth scan is to achieve an essential diagnostic evaluation of your unborn baby, during which we will use advanced 3D/4D HDlive imaging software to provide views of baby in an alternative perspective. At this time extended 4D bonding scans with video recording of scans are not permitted. Complimentary gender evaluation cannot be conducted in a secret format with this scan. (If you want to keep the gender secret and reveal it later, we recommend our Growth&Gender™ scan.)

Terms & Conditions

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, this 4DGrowthAssure™ ultrasound scan is subject to a number of special terms and conditions:

COVID-19 (coronavirus) Pandemic Special Measures

This scan has been specifically developed for optimum safety during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, with the primary purpose of this scan being to achieve an essential diagnostic evaluation of your unborn baby, during which we will use advanced 3D/4D HDlive imaging software to provide views of baby in an alternative perspective. Scan time is limited to a maximum of 5 minutes in an attempt to reduce the risk of infection during the examination. All staff will be wearing an approved level of PPE for your protection, and your scan report and imagery will be sent to you digitally to support infection control measures. Full details of our special procedures will be emailed along with your appointment confirmation. Please be aware that none-essential ‘bonding & souvenir’ scans breach the social distancing measures (law in Wales) as defined at the Amber phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic, however, the provision of essential diagnostic baby scans performed by qualified obstetric sonographers is permitted.

Scan Time & Baby’s Safety

Your 4DGrowthAssure™ scan will last for approximately 5 minutes. As an ethical and regulated provider we comply with the British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS) guidelines, only scanning for as long as it necessitates to achieve the required diagnostic evaluation. Whilst we appreciate longer scan times promoted by other scan companies may seem appealing, the safety and wellbeing of your baby is paramount and should not be compromised.

Referral Procedure to NHS

In the event we identify matters of concern and it is considered a further detailed diagnostic assessment is required, a referral to your NHS GP/Midwife will be provided in accordance with our approved procedures. Referrals to NHS will only be provided when there is justified concern.

Complimentary Gender Evaluation

This is subject to your unborn baby's gestation age and their position at the time of the scan. No additional time will be taken to encourage your baby into a cooperative conducive position, and failure to achieve baby sexing does not constitute cause for rescan or refund. Gender evaluation cannot be conducted in a ‘secret’ format with this scan.

Advanced HDlive 4D Imaging

Advanced 3D/4D HDlive imaging software will be used to provide views of baby in an alternative perspective. 4D imaging is subject to baby’s position at time of scan. No additional time will be taken to encourage baby into a conducive position, and failure to achieve 4D imagery does not constitute cause for rescan. Whilst conducting your scan, should your Sonographer determine that 4D imagery is unachievable, this scan package will be downgraded to the GrowthAssure™ scan with the difference in price refunded accordingly.

Re-Scan Guarantee

This scan is excluded from our Guarantee to minimise the chance of virus transmission from staff to client and vice versa through repeat visits.

Multiple Pregnancy Surcharge

A multiple pregnancy will require further scan time in order to conduct the detailed assessment of multiple foetus and to obtain 4D imagery; as such we charge an additional £40 to account for the extended appointment time allocated. It is recommended that this scan is performed between 22-26 weeks gestation for optimum results.

Sonographers & Regulation

All ultrasound scans are performed by qualified and experienced obstetric Sonographers registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC).

Guest Policy

During the pandemic we are permitting a maximum of one adult guest to accompany you into the examination room. Face masks will be compulsory for all visitors attending the clinic and during the examination your guest must remain seated within the 2 metre physical distancing zone. At this time additional family members and children are not permitted inside the clinic, however they are welcome to view your scan through the window from outside the building, where it can be watched on a large screen with audio displayed from our private viewing room.

Advisory

The diagnostic evaluations obtained whilst conducting our growth and wellbeing scans provide valuable insight into baby’s continual development and wellbeing, designed to compliment but not replace your NHS Dating/NT (12-14wks) and Anomaly scans (20 wks). Whilst each scan type has a specific purpose, gestation age criteria and defined reporting protocols, our qualified Sonographers have an ethical obligation to highlight, report and refer matters of concern which may be outside the scope/protocols of the performed scan. In some circumstances further NHS evaluation and screening may be required; however the gestation age criteria for such evaluations will be determined by your NHS Antenatal provider.

Pre-scan preparation

Arrive with a full bladder as this will assist with magnification of scan imagery. Please do NOT empty bladder prior to scan. Sugar in the blood stream will assist with baby’s movement which can greatly assist 4D imaging and gender evaluation. Remove any belly piercings in advance of your appointment. We will need to expose your abdomen during the scan, as such please consider wearing a two piece outfit in order that we may respect your dignity.

Optimum Gestation Age

The best 4D imagery is obtained when baby has plenty of room for movement and when there is ample fluid to project imagery; as such we recommend 4D imaging scans are performed between 26-29 weeks for optimum results.

4DgrowthAssure™

4D Growth Scan – Overview:

Detailed Description

What's included

Terms & Conditions

Photocloud

Gifts & Souvenirs