Private Anatomy / Anomaly Ultrasound

This scan is performed at the mid-way point of your pregnancy and is performed to assess the physical development of the baby. By this stage of the pregnancy, your baby has developed his or her organs.

The ultrasound examination provides a comprehensive assessment of the organs, including identifying specific structures and anomalies that may occur.

We also assess your womb and specifically the placenta to ensure it is in a safe position and to help with planning for your choice of delivery.

You will be offered your foetal anatomy ultrasound about halfway through your pregnancy, at the 18 to 23-week mark.

The foetal anatomy ultrasound offers important information about the health and anatomy of your baby. At Harley Street Ultrasound, our comprehensive anatomy scan includes:

• A detailed check of foetal anatomy.
• Foetal biometry, which measures your baby’s size. Your specialist consultant will measure the head, abdomen, and thigh bone and calculate the estimated foetal weight (EFW). They will plot the EFW on a growth chart.
• Assessment of the amniotic fluid, which surrounds the growing foetus.
• Assessment of the position of your placenta.
• Assessment of your cervix. Your consultant will undertake the ultrasound transabdominally (over your tummy). However, if any concerns arise, they will perform a transvaginal scan with your permission.
• If requested, the sex of your baby. Let your consultant know before your scan.

In addition to the above, your specialist will also undertake uterine artery doppler studies – a quick and pain-free process that assesses various risk factors. For example, it checks to see whether the baby is small for his or her gestational age and evaluates the risk of preeclampsia.

On the very rare occasion, your consultant suspects an anomaly, a referral will be made to a foetal medicine specialist. Your baby’s health is our top priority, and we believe in giving our patients access to the highest standard of medical care.

We recommend that all pregnant people undergo an anomaly scan at the 18 to 23-week mark. Your baby’s wellbeing is paramount, and the anomaly ultrasound provides critical information about his or her growth.

If a condition is detected, which is highly unlikely, you can take the necessary steps to ensure the best possible outcome through ongoing support and monitoring.

What’s more, ultrasounds are non-invasive and do not use radiation, which makes them safe for both you and your baby.

Your specialist will study the major systems in your baby’s growing body, this will screen for the 11 auditable conditions: 

• Edwards’ syndrome (T18)
• Patau’s syndrome (T13)
• Anencephaly
• Spina bifida
• Cleft lip
• Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
• Gastroschisis
• Exomphalos
• Congenital heart disease
• Bilateral renal agenesis
• Lethal skeletal dysplasia 

including the heart, brain, spine, face, limbs, hands, feet, spine, bowel, and kidneys. 

• When checking the brain, your specialists will examine the shape of the cerebellum (located at the back of the brain) and fluid-filled spaces throughout.
• When examining the heart, your specialist will look for heart defects, which are one of the leading causes of congenital disabilities. In the unlikely event of a prenatal diagnosis following your scan, you will have an opportunity to prepare your medical team and organise the best possible care – both during pregnancy and after birth.
• When assessing the face, your specialist should be able to identify a cleft lip. 
• When evaluating the spine, your specialists will look for spina bifida.
• Your specialist will examine the position of your placenta. They will determine whether you have a condition called placenta previa, where the placenta partially or fully covers the cervix. They will also check the cervix, umbilical cord, and amniotic fluid.

• For the Baby:

  • The baby’s gender at your request
  • Heart
  • Liver
  • Stomach
  • Kidneys
  • Urinary Bladder
  • Brain & Head
  • Spine
  • Arms and Legs
  • Face (with particular attention to the eyes and mouth)
  • Umbilical cord

  For the Mother:

  • Position of the baby and placenta
  • Amniotic fluid

Ultrasounds are powerful and safe diagnostic tools that offer critical information about your baby’s health, giving you peace of mind.

However, while anatomy scans can detect many health conditions, the system isn’t perfect, and some conditions cannot be detected by ultrasound.

Anomalies that are typically easily detected during a scan include spina bifida and cleft lips. However, heart defects may be more challenging to identify as the foetal heart anatomy differs to live birth and nationally only 50% of cardiac abnormalities can be detected by ultrasound.

The good news is that most of the major conditions fall into this category.

If you have any questions about the accuracy of pregnancy ultrasounds, please do not hesitate to reach out. Our team is here to ease your concerns during this exciting time of life.

Yes – but only if you want to know. Let your specialist know if you’d like to find out during your anatomy scan. If not, they won’t spoil any surprises for you. This is your journey, and you and your family are in the driver’s seat.

Ultrasounds do not use radiation like X-rays and other medical imaging technologies. Instead, they use sound waves to capture images of your baby. There are no known risks associated with ultrasound, and the process is quick, non-invasive, and pain-free.

If your consultant detects a potential anomaly, you will be referred to a foetal medicine specialist and may be offered further testing. Some tests carry risks. It’s important to speak with a trusted healthcare professional before deciding whether to take additional tests.

During your ultrasound, you lie down on an examination table or bed. a special gel will be applied to your abdomen and pelvic area.

The gel is water-based, so it shouldn’t leave marks on your clothes or skin. The gel helps the sound waves travel properly.

Next, a small wand is used, called a transducer, onto your belly. The transducer is moved around the gel area to capture black and white images onto the ultrasound screen.

They may ask you to move or hold your breath while they capture images. The technician then checks to see if the necessary images were captured and if they are clear.

Your doctor or midwife will want to know the results of your scan and are likely to ask you for a copy.

If you have any concerns about your scan, we can arrange for you to discuss with an on-site/local Consultant Obstetrician.

To obtain good images we require you to have a full bladder. We advise drinking at least 4 glasses of water 45 minutes to an hour before your private ultrasound scan.

There is no particular type of care required after a Anatomy / Anomaly Ultrasound Scan You may resume your regular diet and daily activities unless your doctor advises you differently.

There are no confirmed adverse biological effects on patients or instrument operators caused by exposures to ultrasound at the intensity levels used in diagnostic ultrasound.

But depending on your particular results, the doctor may give you additional or alternative instructions after the procedure.

Many of our patients are concerned that if they come to us for an ultrasound, they won’t be able to go back to public health. That simply is not the case.

Our goal is to give you answers as quickly as possible and get you on the right treatment path fast – no strings attached.

When you come to us, you will be seen by a qualified specialist who can determine if your situation is serious or not that same day.

We don’t want you to wait weeks on end for an appointment because every minute counts when it comes to something as important as your health.

If your situation is serious, our specialist will write to your doctor on the NHS advising them that you need an urgent appointment.