Ultrasounds are wonderful opportunities to see and bond with your baby, but the scans are also an important part of your antenatal care. During the ultrasound, your doctor or sonographer will perform some simple checks to ensure that your baby is growing well and developing normally. Although most babies will remain healthy, there is a small chance that a problem will be detected during your private pregnancy scan in London.

What Kinds of Problems Can Ultrasound Detect?

Ultrasound scans produce images of your baby that can reveal a lot about his or her health and development. The sonographer will be able to measure your baby during your private pregnancy scan at the London clinic to check that he or she is growing as expected. The placenta will also be checked to ensure it is providing everything your baby needs. A series of routine checks will also be performed to look for signs of certain abnormalities, such as Down’s syndrome. An ultrasound can be used to diagnose some kinds of problems, but sometimes it can only tell you if there is a higher risk of a certain condition. You might need further tests if you want to find out for sure.

What Happens Next?

If your sonographer has concerns about something seen during your private pregnancy scan at the London clinic, you may need to speak to a doctor. The doctor will explain exactly what was seen and what it means for you and your baby. Sometimes the doctor will be able to give you a definite diagnosis, but in other cases the scan might just suggest there is a risk of a particular condition. The doctor can help you to decide whether you would like to have further tests, such as an amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling, if this could provide more certainty. The doctor may also recommend surgery or another treatment that could tackle the problem, either before or after your baby is born.