Baby Premier Ask the Expert

Now is your opportunity to ask our ultrasound sonographer and midwife experts about what to expect or what your results mean, what you can ask your doctor, all the "what if...," "what should I..." type questions or whatever is on your mind about ultrasounds. If you have a question that you would like to 'ask our expert' please email your question to info@babypremier.co.uk so that we can publish for you and other mums to be.

Miss Woodward asks, "When will I have my first ultrasound scan?"

All women are offered ultrasound scans in pregnancy at NHS maternity units, but the number, type and the timing may vary considerably between different areas. As a general guide they include an early scan at six to 12 weeks, dating scans between 10 to 14 weeks, nuchal translucency scans at 11 to 13 weeks and anomoly scans at 18 to 24 weeks.

Ms J Masrch asks, " Can I have a scan with Baby Premier before my 12 week NHS maternity scan appointment?"

Yes. Baby Premier offer an early viability and dating scan from six weeks of pregnancy.
Early scans do sometimes show there is a problem, although it's important to bear in mind that most pregnancies are successful. Unfortunately, though, miscarriage in early pregnancy is fairly common. If an embryo is growing more slowly than normal, or has a slower heartbeat and a small yolk sac, it is more likely to miscarry. The scan may show an empty sac, or a sac with a small embryo, but no heartbeat, known as a missed miscarriage. Because scans can be inconclusive and not all pregnancies are the same, there are strict guidelines set out by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists for scans in early pregnancy (RCOG 2006).

Ms S Kinsella asks, "Do I have to have an anomaly scan?"

Early in your pregnancy your midwife may give you written information about why an anomaly scan is being done, how it will help and what it won't be able to tell you. This will allow you time to decide whether you would like one. If the sonographer suspects a problem, you will be informed straightaway. Most problems that need repeat scanning are not serious. If a Baby Premier anomaly scan reveals a serious problem, you will be given plenty of support to guide you through all of the options.

Mrs Josey asks, "My local NHS hospital does not offer Down's screening, what are the benefits of undergoing this scan privately?"

A Nuchal Translucency (NT) scan is a screening test which assesses whether your baby is likely to have Down's syndrome. The NT screening test can only 'estimate the risk' of your baby having Down's. One prime advantage of the NT scan is that it is done early in your pregnancy and it is possible to have a CVS (via the NHS) and get the result while you are still in your first trimester. If you are unsure what to do, you can wait until 16 weeks and have an amniocentesis then if you wish. Your midwife or doctor will provide more information if you need it. The Nuchal Transluency is a collection of fluid under the skin at the back of a baby's neck. It can be measured using ultrasound when your baby is between 11 weeks plus four days and 13 weeks plus six days old. All babies have some fluid, but many babies with Down's syndrome have an increased amount. You will also be given a risk for two other chromosomal abnormalities, Edwards syndrome and Patau's syndrome. These conditions are much rarer than Down's. Babies with these conditions usually also have abnormalities that can be seen on the scan. The NT scan can't tell for certain whether your baby is affected. However, it can help you make an informed decision and to decide whether or not to have a diagnostic test. The Nuchal scan also tests for Patau's syndrome and Edward's syndrome and will give a risk indication factor..

Miss F Gosling asks, "I'm 26, am I too young for a Down's screening scan?"

Every woman has a risk of giving birth to a baby with Down's syndrome, and this risk increases with age. There is no minimum age to undergo a Nuchal Transluencey scan.

Mrs Stella Obiogina asks, "There is a history of Edward's syndrome in my family, Is there a screen I can have done to test for Edward's syndrome?"

Edward's syndrome is caused by the presence of three—as opposed to two—copies of chromosome 18 in a fetus or infant's cells in one in 3,000 live births. The incidence increases as the mother's age increases and Edward’s syndrome has a very low rate of survival. A Nuchal scan can test for Edward's syndrome and give you a risk factor indication. This scan has to be done between 11 weeks plus four days and 13 weeks plus six days. The Nuchal scan also tests for Patau's syndrome.

Mrs H Fielding asks, "I’m having a dating scan next week, will I be able to find out the sex of my baby?"

Many parents are keen to know the sex of their baby before it’s born. If you attend Baby Premier for a gender scan (from 18 weeks) it’s usually fairly easy to identify the sex. The difference between boys and girls is fairly obvious at this stage. As your pregnancy progresses, the difference becomes even clearer and, provided there is plenty of amniotic fluid around your baby and it doesn’t have its feet tucked up between its legs. However, in the early weeks it’s not so easy. The sex of a baby is genetically determined at conception, but during the early development of embryos, they all look the same.