Most pregnant women have at least one ultrasound scan to capture pictures of their unborn baby and check for abnormalities such as Down’s Syndrome, spina bifida and heart defects. A variety of additional private pregnancy scans and investigations can be paid for privately, if they are not offered under your NHS care.
Featured Providers
The Portland Hospital
Being a major provider of private obstetric care, The Portland Hospital offers all aspects of private pregnancy scans including specialised tests such as amniocentesis and the nuchal scan. The Fetal Medicine Unit uniquely offers a Consultant Led Service, provided by Consultants who specialise in fetal medicine.
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Create Health
Create Health Clinic offers expert 3D/4D ultrasound scanning in pregnancy led by the pioneer of ultrasound diagnostics, Professor Stuart Campbell. Professor Campbell is renowned for introducing new techniques in obstetrics including the routine pregnancy scan, early diagnosis of fetal abnormalities, assessment of fetal growth and wellbeing in addition to ultrasound screening for ovarian cancer.
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David Penman TD MRCOG Consultant Gynaecologist and Obstetrician, Kent
Mr David Penman specialises in prenatal screening and diagnosis of fetal abnormalities and invasive prenatal diagnostic procedures including amniocentesis and CVS. His gynaecological interests include the management of menstrual dysfunction, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis/pelvic pain, subfertility and the investigation and management of recurrent miscarriage.
Get a quote for a 3D or 4D scan
Request further information, or a cost for 3D and 4D ultrasound scans from scanning companies and centres in the private sector. Your enquiry will be forwarded to a maximum of three private companies or private hospitals.
More about pregnancy scans and investigations
Amniocentesis is usually done between weeks 15 and 18. It is normally carried out for women who are at high risk –older women, women who have had a child with a birth defect, women with diabetes.
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is a very accurate antenatal test that detects abnormalities such as Down's syndrome. It is usually performed earlier, between the 10th and 12th weeks of pregnancy, than amniocentesis, and has become a popular alternative. You may choose to have it done privately, rather than wait for an amniocentesis.
Nuchal translucency scans ("nuchal fold scans", or the "nuchal scan") are a relatively new technique, and are available privately. Research has shown that the thickness of the “nuchal fold” at the back of the neck is an indicator for Down’s Syndrome. The nuchal fold scan is carried out between 11 and 13 weeks.
A small number of private centres offer the OSCAR (One Stop Clinic for the Assessment of Risk) which also assesses the risk of Down’s Syndrome. The screen combines a nuchal translucency scan and a blood analysis for the level of Pregnancy Associated Plasma Protein-A (PAPP-A), and free beta-human Chorionic Gonadotropin (free beta-hCG). It is performed at 11-13 weeks.
