The benefits of an early ultrasound scan
The benefits of an early ultrasound scan
Having a baby is such an important time in any parent’s life. From conception and as the baby starts to develop and move around in the womb, parents are planning for the arrival of their baby. Choosing their babies name, maybe moving house, painting the nursery, budgeting for prams, clothes, and all the other essentials needed for the arrival of their child.
But for some parents, having a child can be an anxious time. Is the baby developing ok? Will it be a girl or boy? Will it be fit and healthy? Will the labour go smoothly? Usually the older the parent then the more anxious they become with the added worry of Down’s syndrome, blood pressure, pregnancy diabetes or placenta problems all of which can now be monitored and managed with the help of ultrasound scans.
Early detection of any problems can help parents to relax about their pregnancy. 2d ultrasound scans are part of the standard anti natal package but with the advances in technology, further scans can be carried out in the form of 4d (four dimensions scans). These scans are 3d scans in real time so they give you a real live image (video) of your baby inside your womb. 4d Ultrasound Scans are sometimes called Bonding Scans or Reassurance Scans as research has shown that having a 4d scan can help significantly with the mother and baby bonding process.
Early ultrasound scans can be done at 5-8 weeks at a cost of anything upwards of £25. Then there are Pregnancy Reassurance scans from 14 weeks (£80+). For parents wanting to find out the sex of their baby, Gender scans are considered more accurate at 22 weeks (£100+) and for the more mature mum Nuchal (NT) scans are carried out between 11-14 weeks and detect any chromosomal abnormalities such as Edward’s syndrome, Down’s syndrome, Patau’s syndrome and Turner’s syndrome. A NT (Nuchal) scan will cost around £100+. Detailed Scans can be done from 22 weeks which will highlight any congenital craniofacial anomaly such as Cleft Lip (effects approximately 1 in every seven hundred babies born in the UK) or Cleft Palates.
Presentation Scan can be carried out from 35 weeks (£55+) and they help avoid the added concerns of where the location of Placenta is and also check for low Umbilical Cord positioning. Further checks are also done for Foetal (Fetal) Presentation to confirm that baby is in the correct position (sometimes referred to as ‘head down’).
For whatever reason you choose to have an ultrasound Scan whether it be for early detection of medical and health issues or just for bonding and reassurance, you need to ensure that the clinic you choose to have the scan is a reputable professional clinic. From April 2010, all health and adult social care providers are required by law to register with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) which includes health care professional such as sonographers and consultants. You must therefore ensure that the clinic you choose has obtained this regulatory requirement for each of its healthcare professionals. Referral is also a good way of finding out about a good Ultrasound Clinic. Knowing someone else who has had a 4d scan done will help you in deciding if you want to have one done as it will enable you to know and see exactly what to expect. A sound piece of advice would be to have some tissues with you as having a 4d ultrasound scan is an amazing experience which will last you a lifetime.
