NHS scans
Two routine scans are offered: a dating scan around 12 weeks and an anomaly scan around 20 weeks. There is usually no early reassurance scan, and appointment times are fixed.
How much does a private pregnancy scan cost?
London prices from £140 — specialist-led
Private pregnancy scans in London vary widely in price — and in who actually performs them. Below are our full, transparent prices for every scan we offer, from an early viability scan (which confirms your baby's heartbeat) to a detailed anomaly scan (a full check of your baby's development). Each one is carried out by a fetal-medicine doctor or an advanced practice sonographer, with specialist oversight.
Looking for a specific scan? Browse all our scans or jump to early pregnancy scans.
Price list
Private pregnancy scan prices
Every scan is performed and reported by a fetal-medicine doctor or an advanced practice sonographer, with specialist oversight. Prices are per pregnancy; twin pregnancies incur a supplement.
| Scan | Best from | What it checks | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viability scan | 6–9 weeks | Heartbeat, location and dating | £140 |
| 10-week scan | 10–11 weeks | Early structural anomaly screening | £260 |
| Early fetal scan | 12–16 weeks | Detailed early anatomy | £260 |
| Early heart scan (echocardiography) | 12–18 weeks | Baby's heart in detail | £360 |
| Anomaly scan | 20–25 weeks | Full mid-pregnancy anomaly check | £260 |
| 3rd trimester anomaly scan | 26–29 weeks | Later anatomy & growth | £260 |
| Wellbeing scan | 30–35 weeks | Growth, fluid and blood flow | £260 |
| Presentation scan | 36–40 weeks | Baby's position before birth | £260 |
| 3D/4D scan | 27–32 weeks | Bonding images of your baby | £260 |
A £30 surcharge applies on weekends, bank holidays and evenings. See our full fees for NIPT, gynaecology and packages.
NHS pregnancy scans at a glance
The prices above cover our private scans — for comparison, here is the routine scanning the NHS provides.
At least 2 routine ultrasound scans are offered on the NHS in England during pregnancy (NHS)
11–14 weeks when the NHS dating scan is usually offered (NHS)
18–21 weeks when the NHS 20-week anomaly scan usually takes place (NHS)
From 6 weeks when a heartbeat can sometimes first be seen on an early scan — around 6 weeks (NHS)
A common question
NHS vs private pregnancy scans
The NHS provides excellent routine care. Many parents choose a private scan to complement it — for reassurance, timing, or a level of detail routine appointments cannot always offer.
Private scans
You can scan from 6 weeks, choose your timing, and have longer, specialist-led appointments — including our unique 10-week anomaly scan that the NHS does not offer.
Match the scan to your stage
Which pregnancy scan do you need — and when?
The scan you need — and what it costs — depends mostly on how many weeks pregnant you are. Matching the scan to your stage is the simplest way to make sense of the price list above, so here is a quick guide to what each one is for.
In the early weeks, a viability scan from 6 to 9 weeks confirms your baby's heartbeat, checks the pregnancy is in the right place and dates it accurately. At £140 it is our most affordable pregnancy scan and a common first step for reassurance. You can read more on our early pregnancy scans page.
From 10 weeks, our 10-week scan offers early structural screening, and from 12 weeks our early fetal scan provides a detailed early anatomy check — neither is routinely offered on the NHS at this stage. If you would like your baby's heart looked at in detail, an early heart scan is available from 12 weeks.
The mid-pregnancy anomaly scan, from 20 weeks, is the private equivalent of the NHS 20-week scan — a full check of your baby's development, carried out by an experienced specialist with more time than a routine appointment usually allows. For comparison, the NHS offers its own anomaly scan between 18 and 21 weeks, screening for 11 conditions.
Later in pregnancy, growth, wellbeing and presentation scans check how your baby is developing and how they are lying before birth, while a 3D/4D scan offers bonding images where appropriate. You can compare all our pregnancy scans side by side.
Why price varies
What you're actually paying for
A £39 high-street scan and a specialist-led scan are not the same thing. With us, your fee includes:
A scan performed by a fetal-medicine doctor or an advanced practice sonographer, with specialist oversight
Time to examine your baby thoroughly — not a quick reassurance photo
Immediate interpretation and advice from the person scanning you
Clear next steps if anything needs follow-up
Access to fetal-medicine specialists — doctors who focus on the baby's health in the womb — if a concern is found
Beyond the scan type
What affects the cost of a private scan?
Once you have chosen the right scan, a few practical things can affect the final cost. We keep our pricing transparent so there are no surprises when you arrive.
The most common adjustments are for appointment timing, twin pregnancies, added blood tests and insurance. In brief:
- Evening, weekend and bank-holiday appointments carry a £30 surcharge.
- Twin pregnancies incur an £80 supplement per scan, as each baby is examined individually and the scan takes roughly twice as long.
- NIPT (non-invasive prenatal testing) is priced separately and is only offered alongside an ultrasound scan, never on its own.
- If your scan is referred for a medical reason, some insurers may cover it — you will need an authorisation code from your insurer to secure your booking.
You can see how these combine with every scan and test on our full fees page, and read more about testing choices on our NIPT page.
How it works
Booking your scan, step by step
Pick your scan by your stage
Use the price list and week ranges above to match a scan to how many weeks pregnant you are. If you are unsure, our team can point you to the right one when you call.
Book online or by phone
You can reserve most scans online at any time, or call the clinic to arrange a slot — including same-day, evening and weekend appointments where available.
Your appointment
An experienced fetal-medicine doctor or advanced practice sonographer performs and interprets your scan, with enough time to examine your baby thoroughly rather than simply capturing a photo.
Your results and next steps
You receive an explanation from the specialist who scanned you on the day, along with clear next steps. If anything needs a closer look, you have direct access to fetal-medicine specialists in the same clinic.
A note on your care
Private scans are designed to complement your NHS maternity care, not replace it — please keep attending your routine NHS appointments. This information is intended for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you have concerns about your pregnancy or your baby's wellbeing, contact your midwife, GP or maternity unit promptly.
Private scan cost — your questions
How much is a private pregnancy scan in London?
At the London Pregnancy Clinic, scans start at £140 for an early viability scan and £260 for most anatomy scans. See the full price list above.
How much is an early private scan?
Our earliest scan, the viability scan from 6 weeks, is £140 and confirms your baby’s heartbeat, location and dates.
Why are your scans more than a high-street 4D studio?
Because every scan is performed and interpreted by an experienced fetal-medicine doctor or advanced practice sonographer, with the time and expertise to examine your baby properly — not just capture a photo. If a concern arises, you are already in the right place.
Can I claim a private scan on insurance?
Some scans may be covered if referred for a medical reason. Contact us and we can advise on what documentation you may need.
How much does a private baby scan cost in the UK?
Prices vary widely across the UK. A short high-street bonding or reassurance scan can cost as little as around £39, while longer appointments led by a specialist who can interpret what they see cost more — the type of scan, the length of the appointment and the expertise of the person scanning you all drive the difference.
Because clinics include different things, it is worth comparing the whole appointment rather than just the headline price — who performs the scan, how long they have with you, and what happens if anything needs follow-up. See the full price list above for exactly what each of our scans checks and costs.
Do I still need my NHS scans if I have a private scan?
Yes — please keep every routine NHS appointment. A private scan is there to complement that care, not to replace it.
Many parents book a private scan for earlier reassurance, more flexible timing or a longer, more detailed look at their baby between routine appointments.
Are private pregnancy scans worth it?
That depends on your circumstances. Parents often value a private scan for reassurance between NHS appointments, for scanning earlier than routine care offers, or for a longer, specialist-led examination of their baby.
No scan can guarantee a particular outcome, so it helps to be clear about what you want from the appointment. If you are unsure whether a private scan is right for you, your midwife or GP can help you decide.
How much is a private anomaly scan?
Our anomaly scan — a full mid-pregnancy check of your baby's development from 20 weeks — is £260. It covers the same ground as the NHS 20-week screening scan, with an experienced specialist and the time to examine your baby thoroughly.
The price includes the specialist's interpretation and explanation on the day, along with clear next steps if anything needs a closer look.
Is there an extra charge for a twin pregnancy scan?
Yes — an £80 supplement applies to each scan in a twin pregnancy, on top of the standard scan price. Your clinician assesses each baby in its own right, so the appointment takes around twice as long as a scan of one baby.
If you are expecting twins, our twins and multiples fees explain how the supplement is applied.
Are private scans better than NHS scans?
They do different jobs, so neither is simply 'better'. NHS scans provide excellent routine screening at set points in pregnancy, while a private scan lets you choose the timing, scan earlier and spend longer with the person examining your baby.
Between private clinics, the biggest difference is who performs the scan. At the London Pregnancy Clinic every scan is performed and interpreted by a fetal-medicine doctor or an advanced practice sonographer, with specialist oversight — see what you're actually paying for above.
Get in touch
Which scan do you need?
Sources & clinical references
The figures and clinical statements on this page are drawn from the sources below. Guidance evolves — always discuss your individual circumstances with a clinician.