Ultrasound Scans at First Glimpse
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All scans will be performed by fully qualified, FMF accredited and highly experienced ultrasound practitioners.

3D/4D scans
A 4D ultrasound scan shows your baby in moving 3 dimensions. It is usually performed to enhance parental bonding and provide valuable reassurance. The best time to perform a 4D scan is between 24 and 32 weeks gestation. At this stage in pregnancy the baby's face, hands, feet and limbs can be best seen. On occasions the baby may not be lying in the optimum position and you will be asked to go for a walk or on rare occasions a re-scan will be offered at no extra cost.

Early Pregnancy Scan (7-12 weeks)
To confirm baby is alive usually when mum has bleeding or pain. The scan carefully examines the pregnancy to assess for any bleeding and confirms that babies heart beat is present.

Dating Scan (9-20 weeks)
To confirm the correct number of weeks gestation, confirm a fetal heart beat and exclude multiple pregnancy.

Nuchal Fold Scan (11-13 weeks)
To screen for Downs Syndrome by examining the baby and measuring fluid at back of the neck. This test also requires blood test at 10-11 weeks before the scan.

Anatomy Scan (18 -20 weeks)
To carefully examine all baby organs to ensure normal development and exclude the presence of abnormality although not all abnormalities are not possible to detect on scan. Assessment is also made of placental position and volume of fluid around the baby. Occasionally the scan will need to be repeated because it is not possible to examine baby completely on one visit.

Fetal Growth / Wellbeing Scans ( 26 weeks and onwards)
To assess the baby's growth and activity. Measurements of the baby are taken to confirm a normal growth rate. Growth and wellbeing scans are usually undertaken together. Baby wellbeing is checked by assessing activity, the amount of water around the baby, and blood flow through babies cord. These all indicate whether the baby is healthy.

Fetal sexing scan
This is a 2D black and white scan, performed after your 18-20 week anatomy scan to determine the gender of your baby.

NB: Fetal sexing can be performed at your 4D scan, but only if requested.

Non-obstetric Ultrasound Scans – Private referral from your GP is desirable but not always essential for all non-obstetric scans.

First Glimpse ltd. can now offer a range of medical ultrasound scans with short waiting times and a prompt report, usually issued on the day of the scan with further recommendations on additional imaging/referrals.

Ovarian Screening
Can be performed annually to assess the size and appearances of ovaries to detect early signs of malinancy.

Pelvic Scan
To include uterine size and appearance, endometrial thickness and size and appearance of the ovaries.

Abdominal Scan
To include imaging of the liver +/- pancreas, gallbladder, biliary tree, both kidneys, aorta and spleen.

Renal scans
To include both kidneys, bladder (+ prostate for males).

Aorta
To measure the diameter of the abdominal aorta and exclude aneurysm +/- kidneys if indicated.