There has been extensive research into 2-, 3- and 4-D scanning over recent years, concluding that there are no ill effects for either baby or mother. All baby scans work in the same way with the difference between 2 and 3 / 4D scanning being that images are continually captured and processed by a computer to build up a three/four-dimensional picture.

Clayton Clinic follows The British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS) recommendations for the safe use of diagnostic ultrasound equipment, which can be found here:

• https://www.bmus.org/static/uploads/resources/BMUS-Safety-Guidelines-2009-revision-FINAL-Nov-2009.pd

• www.bmus.org

Only fully qualified sonographers should conduct pregnancy scans. At Clayton Clinic, all of our clinical staff are fully qualified sonographers, and most are also qualified midwives.

General advice includes wearing comfortable clothes that you can easily adjust for your tummy to be scanned. If you’re under 20 weeks then it’s helpful to have your bladder comfortably full.

You will receive images and recordings immediately after your scan is finished, via Tricefy, as well as any printed images as part of your scan!

You will also receive a printed report from your scan.

We have accessible toilets and baby change facilities at our Clinic.

We’re a medical clinic run by professional midwives, we have all of the routine infection prevention and control policies and procedures in place that you’d expect from a clinical environment.

Your appointment can take any time between 10 and 45 minutes depending both on the type of scan or test and whether an accurate assessment has been made. We do suggest you allow at least 45 minutes for your appointment. When you arrive, you will be asked to complete some information about yourself before going into the scan room. Following your scan we will prepare a report and you will have a selection of images and extras to choose from, should you wish, for you to treasure.

Please remember, this is all dependent on the baby and if they are in a difficult position on the day you may be with us for longer. In some instances, you may need to revisit us on another day, in which case a suitable appointment time will be arranged with you before you leave.

At the end of your scan, you will receive all the images and video captured by your midwife sonographer, straight to your phone via Tricefy.

We appreciate that the scan of your baby should be an inclusive experience for the whole family, and we want to ensure it is special for everyone. However, to maintain comfort and ambience we recommend that a maximum of 4 additional guests accompany you to your appointment, any children under the age of 12 must be your own children.

If you would like to bring more guests along, please enquire prior to your appointment and we will do our best to accommodate you!

All our private baby scans start with a 2D wellbeing check of baby. During this time, we will assess and confirm the following: the number of babies, heartbeat and visualisation, the baby and placental position (for pregnancies over 28 weeks’ gestation) and measurements of your baby. All our sonographers are fully trained and qualified so, if there is a problem, you are in good hands. They will explain any concerns to you and ensure that you are then referred to your local early pregnancy unit/antenatal clinic or Fetal Medicine Unit for on-going care along with a detailed scan report for you to take with you.

Please note, a fetal health / wellbeing scan cannot provide the full presentation in terms of pregnancy complications and therefore we would always recommend you use our services in parallel with NHS scans and antenatal care.

Of course! The important thing is to let us know on the day if you don’t want to know the sex and our sonographer will be discreet and the secret will be kept safe.

Several factors can inhibit the quality of the image (raised BMI, foetal position, an empty or too full bladder), this will be explained to you on the day should we feel the image quality is reduced. We will always make every effort during the scan to get the clearest images of your baby, however babies can be unpredictable! If for any reason, we are unable to complete your scan at your appointment time we may encourage you to go for a walk, empty/fill your bladder or have a glass of cold water to try get baby moving around. If this still doesn’t work, we will rearrange your appointment for an alternative date and time, free of charge. If we are unable to get facial images at your second appointment, we will ensure you have images of their tiny hands and feet to take away.

There are no specific preparations for having a blood test or NIPT. Please do let us know if you have had any previous problems having blood samples taken (such as feeling faint or difficult veins) so that we can support you accordingly.

Should you need any further input following your results from your NIPT test then one of our midwives or fetal medicine consultants will call you and discuss these results with you. You will also be referred to your local Fetal Medicine Unit to follow up with any specialist care and support you may need.

At Clayton Clinic we take your privacy very seriously. Any personal information will only be used to carry out the service or treatment you have requested from us.

Following your time with us, we will store this information securely for CQC regulation purposes. We do not share your details with third parties at any time, except in specific cases where a referral is required, or a service has been selected where a third party is involved - such as our Panorama Test.

Should a referral or the need to share information occur, as the patient, we will seek permission from you, before doing so, ensuring you are in full control of your personal and sensitive data at all times.

If you arrive more than 15 minutes past your appointed time then we may need to rebook your scan. We will always try our best to accommodate you on the same day but may need you to return on a different day if the clinic is fully booked. If you are aware of any delays ahead of your appointment time please give us a call so we can accommodate.

At Clayton Clinic we take client care and satisfaction very seriously. Should you be unhappy with the care you have received please raise this on the day of your scan with a member of the team. If you feel you are unable to do this, please email admin@claytonclinic.co.uk. We aim to reply to your email within 48 hours.