• 10 Weeks Anomaly Scan (10-11 weeks)
• Early Fetal Echocardiography (12-15 weeks)
• 3rd Trimester Anomaly Scan (26-29 weeks)

Currently NHS Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme includes: 

Screening for Down’s syndrome is offered to all eligible pregnant women and takes place between 10⁺⁰ and 20⁺⁰ weeks of pregnancy.

Screening for Edward’s syndrome and Patau’s syndrome is offered to all eligible pregnant women and takes place between 10⁺⁰ and 14⁺¹ weeks of pregnancy.

Screening for 11 physical conditions as part of the 20-week scan is offered to all pregnant women and takes place between 18⁺⁰ and 20⁺⁶ weeks of pregnancy. Scans can be completed up to 23⁺⁰ weeks of pregnancy.

Your first scan with the NHS is likely to be the nuchal translucency/dating scan at 11-13 weeks. This scan is predominantly designed to screen for the same chromosomal anomalies (Down’s, Edward’s and Patau’s syndromes) as NIPT using an older methodology developed in the 1990s. NIPT is a far more advanced test developed in 2011 with a much higher accuracy.

Most crucially, majority of NHS Trusts have no protocols for structural anomalies screening at 11-13 weeks. Our scans are especially designed to screen for every anomaly detectable from an early gestational age and will improve the management of the pregnancy.

The second scan by the NHS is usually done at 19-20 weeks, this is called an anomaly scan and includes screening for 11 conditions:

• Edwards’ syndrome (T18)
• Patau’s syndrome (T13)
• anencephaly
• spina bifida
• cleft lip
• congenital diaphragmatic hernia
• gastroschisis
• exomphalos
• congenital heart disease
• bilateral renal agenesis
• lethal skeletal dysplasia

At London Pregnancy Clinic, we screen for these 11 conditions among other 100 anomalies at the 12-16 week early fetal scan, however we are well aware that in some cases those abnormalities can have delayed manifestation (for example diaphragmatic hernia) or being too small to be detected (cleft lip). 

Yes, of course. We use Tricefy which is a secure cloud system to upload images from your scan to be viewed before you even leave the scanning room! You will also receive a hard and soft copy of your detailed ultrasound report as well as some high-quality colour printouts for you to take home with you!

Tricefy also allows you to download the images from the scan to share with your loved ones via message/social media.

We provide still ultrasound images for you to take away with you on the day. We also send these to you electronically, with a couple of video clips. We’ll provide a USB stick with the full 3D/4D experience.

You can have as many scans as needed for appropriate management of your pregnancy. Some mothers with complicated pregnancies, in order to confirm fetal wellbeing, can have scans a few times a week. There are no cumulative effects from repeated scans. 

Ultrasound is very safe for your baby because it uses low intensity sound and there isn’t any radiation exposure. The results of the WHO systematic review on safety of ultrasonography in pregnancy has showed that ultrasonography in pregnancy was not associated with adverse maternal or perinatal outcome, impaired physical or neurological development, increased risk for malignancy in childhood, subnormal intellectual performance or mental diseases.

The only known effect from the use of ultrasound equipment is its potential to increase temperature of the body. It can happen only with prolonged (more than hour) uninterrupted scanning with high intensity ultrasound modes and with use of outdated equipment. 

During every private pregnancy scan in London, we control thermal index (TI) as an on-screen guide of the potential for tissue heating and strictly following ALARA principle (as low as reasonably achievable) during all scans. For early pregnancy scans we perform an ongoing audit of thermal index (TI) and time of the scan.

We think that the best scan schedule for uncomplicated pregnancy is:

• Viability scan at 7 weeks
• 10 Weeks Scan and NIPT at 10 weeks
• Early Fetal Scan at 16 weeks
• Anomaly Scan at 22 weeks
• 3rd Trimester Anomaly Scan at 28 weeks
• Wellbeing scan at 32 weeks
• Presentation scan at 36 weeks

We think that essential scans for every future mother for uncomplicated pregnancy are:

• 10 Weeks Scan and NIPT (affordable Invitae NIPS) at 10 weeks in London Pregnancy Clinic
• NHS NT scan preferable at 13 weeks
• NHS anomaly scan at 19-20 weeks
• 3rd Trimester Anomaly Scan at 28 weeks in London Pregnancy Clinic

This minimalistic schedule will give you:

• earliest scan to exclude major anomalies (10 weeks Scan)
• best option for Down’s syndrome screening (Invitae NIPS)
• screening for anomalies with late manifestation and early fetal growth disorders which can be invisible at 19-20 week at NHS anomaly scan (3rd trimester anomaly scan)  

Early fetal echocardiography is the most advanced and comprehensive ultrasound scan in early pregnancy.

We will perform:

• Special examination for fetal heart
• Top-to-toe examination of all baby’s organs and structures

You can have also NIPT for the most accurate Down’s syndrome screening as add-on option during this scan