From £140Viability scan £140 (6–9 weeks) · 10-week and Early Fetal scans £260
Reassurance Scan
With the Reassurance Scan we can provide peace of mind for parents as early as possible (at 12-13 weeks).
This gentle, non-invasive ultrasound lets you check that your baby is developing well and see the heartbeat, replacing the natural worries of early pregnancy with reassurance and information.
Why have an early reassurance scan?
The first weeks of pregnancy can be a time of quiet uncertainty. Symptoms come and go, there is often a long wait before your first NHS appointment, and it is natural to want to know that all is well. A reassurance scan offers an early opportunity to see your baby, confirm that the pregnancy is progressing, and replace worry with information.
Most miscarriages happen in the first trimester and, as the NHS explains, this is often because there is a problem with the way the pregnancy develops.
The picture becomes more reassuring as pregnancy continues: according to Tommy's, once a pregnancy is past around 6 to 7 weeks and a heartbeat has been seen, the risk of miscarriage falls to around 10 per cent, and it decreases dramatically after 12 weeks. For many parents, seeing that heartbeat is the single most reassuring moment of early pregnancy.
An early scan can also answer some of the practical questions that matter most in these weeks. Alongside checking the heartbeat, it can confirm how many weeks pregnant you are and estimate your due date, show whether you are expecting more than one baby, and check that the pregnancy is developing in the right place — the same checks the NHS describes for the dating scan. Depending on your stage of pregnancy, this may be a viability scan from around 6 weeks or an early fetal scan at about 12 weeks.
Ultrasound scans are a routine part of NHS antenatal care, and according to the NHS there are no known risks to the baby or the mother from having an ultrasound scan.
Who is a reassurance scan for?
A reassurance scan is entirely your choice, and there is no single right reason to have one. Parents often come to us at the London Pregnancy Clinic for early peace of mind, including those who:
have experienced a previous miscarriage or pregnancy loss and would value earlier reassurance this time
have had some bleeding, spotting or cramping and want to check that all is well (if you have bleeding or pain now, contact your midwife, GP or maternity unit first)
feel anxious because their early pregnancy symptoms have eased or come and gone
have conceived through IVF or other assisted conception and want to confirm the pregnancy is progressing
face a long wait before their first NHS scan and would rather not wait for reassurance
are simply feeling worried and would find it comforting to see their baby
All our scans are designed to reassure the parents
Deciding to have a Reassurance Scan at the London Pregnancy Clinic (LPC) can be a significant step for expectant mothers seeking peace of mind during the early stages of pregnancy. This non-invasive procedure offers an invaluable opportunity to check on the baby’s development, providing immediate emotional relief and reassurance to parents. The fundamental aim of any of our scan is to reassure the parents that:
- the baby is properly formed and there are no major anomalies seen at this specific stage of gestation
- the pregnancy development milestones are achieved
- the heart is structurally normal and the
- cardiac function and heartbeat are normal
- the development of the brain is normal
- the growth of the baby is normal
- fetal well being signs are normal
- fetal environment is normal
Early Reassurance Package
Our signature Early Reassurance Packages are specially designed to reassure the parents as early as possible that the baby has a low possibility of having major structural and chromosomal anomalies.
The test represents a winning combination of two independent state-of-the-art medical technologies:
UltrasoundEarly Fetal Scan – to exclude major structural anomalies
GeneticsNIPT – to reduce the possibility of the baby to have trisomy 21 (Down’s syndrome) and trisomies 18 and 13.
What happens during your reassurance scan
Before your scan
There is very little preparation involved — you do not need to arrive with a full bladder, as our advanced ultrasound scanners produce high-quality images without one. When you arrive you will be welcomed into a private room and made comfortable on the couch.
The scan itself
A small amount of warm gel is applied to your tummy and a probe is moved gently over the skin to bring your baby into view on the screen. In very early pregnancy a transvaginal (internal) scan sometimes gives a clearer picture, and this is always discussed with you first.
What we check
The clinician looks for the heartbeat and checks growth, development and wellbeing appropriate to your stage of pregnancy. You are welcome to watch the screen, and once we are satisfied all is progressing well we are happy to share images with you.
Talking it through
There is time to discuss what we see and to ask any questions before you leave. If everything looks as expected, you go home with reassurance about your baby's progress at this stage of pregnancy.
Understanding your results
For most parents, a reassurance scan does exactly what its name suggests — it confirms a heartbeat and healthy early progress, and you leave with your mind at rest. Your scan is carried out by an experienced sonographer, and where any finding needs closer interpretation it is reviewed by our specialist fetal medicine clinicians, so you can feel confident in the care behind your results.
It helps to know what a reassurance scan is and is not. Its purpose is to confirm your baby's wellbeing at a particular point in pregnancy, rather than to provide a complete assessment of anatomy or chromosomes. If you would like more detailed screening, an early fetal scan looks for a wide range of structural anomalies from around 12 weeks, a later anomaly scan gives a thorough anatomical check at 20 to 25 weeks, and our Early Reassurance Package combines ultrasound with NIPT.
Occasionally a scan raises a question that needs a further look. On its own this is not a cause for alarm — it simply means we take the time to look more carefully. Our clinicians will explain what they have seen in clear, plain terms, answer your questions, and arrange any appropriate follow-up or onward referral, supporting you at every step.
Calculate which scan is best for you and its optimal date
Please select your Last Menstrual Period (LMP) here to work out when you should do this scan. If your LMP was corrected by ultrasound before, please use the corrected date.
Calculate Scan Period
Please click on any of our other Reassurance Scans (we aim to provide reassurance at any stage of gestation)
Viability Scan
Viability scan/dating scan in London in as early as 6 weeks. Pre-NIPT consultation included.
Early Fetal Scan
Screening for over 100 anomalies at just 12 weeks of pregnancy. Utilising the latest ultrasound technology with unrivalled fetal medicine expertise.
Anomaly Scan
Our private anomaly scan perfectly complements your NHS scan, with a more extensive checklist. Usually performed at 20-25 weeks of pregnancy.
Developmental Scan
We check your baby’s growth and development at any stage of pregnancy, monitoring fetal growth, the placenta and amniotic fluid.
Pre-Delivery Scan
Checking the position of your baby to exclude breech presentation and assess fetal wellbeing before birth.
Scan Upon Request
Our Fetal Medicine experts are available for non-urgent reassurance scans, as well as a second opinion on a diagnosis you may have had elsewhere.
If you are worried about your pregnancy
This information is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice; please consult a qualified healthcare professional for guidance specific to your individual circumstances. If you have concerns about your pregnancy or your baby's wellbeing, or if you experience bleeding or pain, contact your midwife, GP or maternity unit promptly. A reassurance scan can offer valuable peace of mind, but it does not replace your NHS antenatal care.
Your questions answered
What is a reassurance scan?
A reassurance scan is a non-invasive ultrasound that checks on your baby's development in early pregnancy to give you peace of mind. At the London Pregnancy Clinic we can provide this reassurance as early as possible, from 12 to 13 weeks. The scan confirms that pregnancy milestones are being met, that the heartbeat and cardiac function look normal, and that growth and fetal wellbeing are as expected for that stage of gestation.
When should I have a reassurance scan?
You can have a reassurance scan from 12 to 13 weeks of pregnancy, though we aim to provide reassurance at any stage of gestation. The best timing depends on your dates, so we offer an online tool where you enter your Last Menstrual Period (LMP) to work out the optimal date for your scan. If your LMP was already corrected by an earlier ultrasound, please use the corrected date.
Is a reassurance scan safe for my baby?
Yes, a reassurance scan is a non-invasive procedure that is considered safe in pregnancy. It uses ultrasound, which works by sending sound waves that create an image of your baby, so there is no radiation involved. The scan simply allows our clinicians to check your baby's development and offers immediate emotional relief and reassurance to parents without any impact on you or your baby.
What does a reassurance scan check for?
A reassurance scan checks that your pregnancy is developing as expected and that no major anomalies are seen at that stage of gestation. Our clinicians confirm that the baby is properly formed, that the heart is structurally normal with a normal heartbeat and cardiac function, that the brain is developing normally, and that growth, fetal wellbeing and the fetal environment all look normal. The aim throughout is to reassure you.
What is the Early Reassurance Package?
The Early Reassurance Package combines two independent technologies to reassure you as early as possible that your baby has a low possibility of major structural and chromosomal anomalies. It brings together an Early Fetal Scan to help exclude major structural anomalies and NIPT genetic screening to reduce the possibility of trisomy 21 (Down's syndrome) and trisomies 18 and 13. Together they offer a fuller picture of your baby's early wellbeing.
Do I need a referral to book a reassurance scan?
No referral is needed to book a reassurance scan with us. You can arrange your appointment directly through our online booking or by calling the clinic on 020 3687 2939. If you are unsure which scan suits your stage of pregnancy, our team can help you choose, and our timing tool can work out the optimal date based on your Last Menstrual Period.
Which reassurance scan is right for me?
The right scan depends on how many weeks pregnant you are, as we aim to provide reassurance at any stage of gestation. A Viability Scan can be performed from as early as 6 weeks, an Early Fetal Scan at around 12 weeks, and an Anomaly Scan usually at 20 to 25 weeks. If you are unsure, our online tool uses your Last Menstrual Period to suggest the most suitable scan and its optimal date.
What is the difference between a reassurance scan and a dating scan?
They overlap, but with a different emphasis. A reassurance scan focuses on confirming your baby's heartbeat and healthy early progress to give you peace of mind, and can be done at various stages of pregnancy. A dating scan, usually at around 10 to 14 weeks, concentrates on confirming how many weeks pregnant you are and your estimated due date. At the London Pregnancy Clinic we can combine the two — our viability scan doubles as an early dating scan from as early as 6 weeks.
How long does a reassurance scan take?
The appointment is usually short and relaxed, and the scan itself takes only as long as it needs — this varies with your stage of pregnancy and how your baby is lying. We never rush, so there is always time to see your baby, ask any questions and talk through the findings before you leave.
Do I need a full bladder for a reassurance scan?
No — we have an empty bladder policy. Our advanced ultrasound scanners can produce high-quality diagnostic images without you needing a full bladder, so there is no need to drink water beforehand or arrive feeling uncomfortable. The same applies if a transvaginal (internal) scan is recommended — no preparation is needed, and we want you to feel as comfortable as possible throughout your visit.
Can a reassurance scan detect a miscarriage?
For most parents, the scan brings good news — it confirms a heartbeat and healthy progress. Occasionally a scan finds that a pregnancy is not developing as hoped, and if this happens our clinicians will explain everything gently and support you through your next steps. If you have any bleeding, pain or other concerns about your pregnancy, please contact your midwife, GP or maternity unit promptly rather than waiting for a scan.
How much does a reassurance scan cost?
The price depends on the type of scan and your stage of pregnancy, as we offer reassurance scans from early pregnancy through to the third trimester. You can find the current price for every scan on our fees page. No referral is needed, and if you are unsure which scan suits your dates, our team can help you choose before you book.
Contact
Do you want to know more or need a consultation?
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.
- Tommy's (patient charity)Miscarriage statistics
- NHSMiscarriage
- NHS12-week scan
- NHSUltrasound scans in pregnancy