Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, of course we do. Our customers comfort is very important to be able to provide a relaxed environment so we can get the very best images possible.

You’re probably already familiar with the black and white photo’s you get from hospitals, these are in two dimensions (length & height) or 2D. 3D adds depth, these are images come with the golden look and feel and 4D is the same but is a moving image i.e. a video. All of these are taken with the same ultrasound machine using a special probe (sometimes called a transducer).

During a 4D Scan we use both 3D & 4D, the live scan that you see on the screen is called 4D, and the still images we print out are 3D. HD is an improvement on 3D imaging using state of the art technology to create skin tones, shadows and clearer images and HD Live is the same for the 4D scan. HD Live is trademarked GE technology and of these are only available from clinics with specialist GE Voluson ultrasound machines like ours.

You can have a 3/4D scan at any time in your pregnancy from 14 weeks. However, for the very best images we advise having your scan done between 26 and 31 weeks. Although scans outside of this range can still give excellent results. There are lots of factors effecting this: the position of the baby and the placenta, the amount of fluid and the size of baby at the time of the scan and the BMI of mummy (ultrasound uses sound waves that have to travel through body tissue, the higher the amount of tissue the further they have to travel, therefore the less clear the image will be). For twins and multiple pregnancies we recommend you come when you are at 26 weeks.. If your placenta is anterior (at the front) we recommend you try and come before 29 weeks to avoid disappointment. If you are past this stage we are happy for you to pop in for us to have a look if we think we will be able to get images of your baby.

Our goal is to give you the very best experience possible so please don’t be shy to ask any questions. If you don’t want to know then just let us know and the sonographer will base the majority of your scan around the facial features so it is not possible for you to see the sex at all.

Baby Scanning Boutique uses a brand new Voluson S8 Ultrasound scanner from GE with all the latest technology versions. Currently BT18 with their famous HD Live functionality.

This is one of the benefits of a private scan compared to an NHS one. Children of all ages are welcome to come along to your scan. Currently we allow 5 guests due to covid restrictions. However, this is a family event, and we know you may want everyone to be involved so our rules will be relaxed and more guests will be allowed in future. All children MUST be supervised at all times by an adult – unfortunately members of staff are unable to supervise children.

No. We can scan twins/multiple pregnancies within the scan time that you choose however, please consider, that twins/multiple pregnancies tend to be quite close together and therefore more difficult to scan. And they may not both/all be facing upwards also so it takes time to get pictures of both/all faces.

We would recommend that you take one of our 30 minute scans if you’re carrying more than one baby during your pregnancy but this, of course, is up to you.

Baby Scanning Boutique provides a non diagnostic, non medical scanning service purely for keep sake purposes – we do not perform any medical checks, therefore it is vital that you attend your NHS appointments and scans.

At Baby Scanning Boutique we do not check for fetal abnormalities, the scans we offer are completely non-medical and non diagnostic – they are for keepsake purposes only.

Ultrasound has been commercially available since the 1960’s and consequently there have been numerous studies into the effects of ultrasound and currently the BMUS (The British Medical Ultrasound Society) state, “There is no evidence that diagnostic ultrasound has ever produced any harm to adults, children or the human foetus and embryo”. However even though using ultrasound during pregnancy is widely regarded as safe here at Baby Scanning Boutique we always follow the BMUS guidance including the ALARA principle for exposure (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) and machine maintenance.

It is perfectly normal for parents to be concerned about any risks that ultrasound scanning may pose for the fetus. Parents should be well informed about both the risks and benefits of ultrasound scanning before making any decision to carry out a scan, both at our boutique and at hospital.

The following links will provide you with lots of useful information to help you feel comfortable in making a decision to book your scan with us:

HPA guidance https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/ultrasound-and-infrasound-health-effects
British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS) https://www.bmus.org/

We understand that you may be running a couple of minutes late, however anyone that arrives later than 10 mins for their appointment may not be able to be seen by our ultrasound scanner and you may have to rebook your appointment. There may also be a 50% charge as this will be classed as a missed appointment. (This is at the management’s discretion.) This is to make it fair on people who have appointments booked in for the rest of the day, in order to ensure that their appointments run on time.

Yes of course, our gender scans are available to book on our website from 14 weeks, our gender scans are 99% accurate and we offer a ‘free repeat appointment guarantee’ if for instance we are unable to determine the gender of your baby due to position of baby, position of placenta etc..

Five (quintets), however, it is recommended you book a 30min appointment for scans with 2 or more babies as it can be more time consuming to find a clear picture of each baby.

We recommend to come before 29 weeks (please note this is only a guide, everybody is different). Anterior means the placenta is at the front, therefore the sound waves will have to go through this before it reaches the baby. As the baby gets bigger, there becomes less room, which causes the babies face to snuggle into the placenta more. If you are past this stage we are happy to try and scan you – if we are unable to get any images in 4D you will just be charged for 2D scan.

Yes, to have a scan you will need to be 18 years old and over. This is a strict policy so please do not book if you are under the age of 18.

We allow 15 minutes for each appointment, however we can sometimes run over in the case of a baby being in the incorrect position. We ask for all of our clients to be understanding in the event of an appointment running over the allotted time. Please note it is a 15 minute appointment, not 15 minute scan.

No, we charge a booking fee not a deposit all of which are non-refundable. If you have paid in full on the website, please contact us directly for a refund on the scan. However booking fee will be deducted as an equivalent of the deposit.

Unfortunately you are not permitted to take any photographs or videos during your scan. If you would like your scan recorded you can purchase a DVD please advise us proper to your scan.

Before 20 weeks, yes you do. If you are 20 weeks or more it is not necessary.

Although there are always factors that affect whether we’re able to successfully carry out the scan, if you follow these simple tips, then it will greatly improve the results:

Relax! Baby can feel your tension, and won’t want to move about.

If you are less than 20 weeks please drink at least 2 pints of water, if you are 20 weeks plus please have an empty bladder.

Keep active. If you’re driving for a while, make sure you walk around a little before your scan to help get baby moving a little.

Try having a fizzy drink and/or a bar of chocolate 10 minutes prior to visit to try and get baby moving.