Ultrasound scans during pregnancy measuring nuchal translucency also spelled nucal translucency, and blood test, (OSCAR – One Stop Clinic and Results), are a way of assessing the baby’s heartbeat, growth and development that is appropriate for the gestation you are (i.e. how many weeks you are) at the time of the scan.
Although most babies are normal, all women – whatever their age – have a small chance of delivering a baby with a physical and/or mental handicap. Ultrasound pregnancy scans can help pick up some of these problems antenatally.
Some physical abnormalities (such as Spina Bifida) may be picked up by scan at 22 weeks. In addition ultrasound may sometimes show features in a baby, which do not necessarily cause problems themselves, but may be linked to an underlying cause (such as Down’s syndrome). In these cases further tests may be offered to give more accurate information.
Diagnostic Ultrasound Services
This service offers a choice of ultrasound scans during your pregnancy, which are carried out by a highly experienced Consultant sonographer. We are committed to providing the highest standard of diagnostic ultrasound using a fully equipped high-resolution scanner.
IBabyScan
You can have a link sent to you via email or your mobile phone so that you can access a secure link to a live clip of your scan. You can share this video of your scan with friends and family online securely within half an hour of your scan.
What are ultrasound scans for?
Ultrasound scans, including growth scans and the detection of abnormalities, are a way of assessing the baby’s heartbeat, growth and development that is appropriate for the gestation you are (i.e. how many weeks you are) at the time of the scan.. Although most babies are normal, all women – whatever their age – have a small chance of delivering a baby with a physical and/or mental handicap. Ultrasound scans can help pick up some of these problems antenatally.
Some physical abnormalities (such as Spina Bifida) may be picked up by scan between 18-22 weeks. In addition ultrasound may sometimes show features in a baby, which do not necessarily cause problems themselves, but may be linked to an underlying cause (such as Down’s syndrome). In these cases further tests may be offered to give more accurate information.
Remember that diagnosis of a problem is unusual and most often a scan can be a reassuring experience – it is also important to realise however that a normal ultrasound scan cannot give a 100% guarantee of a normal baby.
This centre has been approved by
The Fetal Medicine Foundation, London.
Director: Professor K. Nicolaides
