Questions & Answers

What is a 3D or 4D ultrasound?

A 3 dimensional (3D) ultrasound demonstrates a still image of your baby's face. It will demonstrate facial expressions in the same way a photograph does. The 4th dimension (4D) is a moving 3-dimensional image.

More images are available on the "What We Do" page

Is there a risk to my unborn child if I have a 3D scan?

Ultrasound has been used for many years now as a routine part of pregnancy care. No ill effects have been proven over the years. Very little information is currently available regarding possible subtle biological effects at diagnostic levels on the developing baby but it should always be borne in mind that these could potentially exist. A balance must always be maintained between diagnostic benefit and any potential risk to the baby.

It is difficult to justify souvenir scanning that has no diagnostic element. It is for this reason that at Bournemouth Baby Scans we will always perform a full baby well being assessment as part of your visit and you will be issued with a well being obstetric report that is identical to the one you would have received had you been scanned in our department as part of your routine ante-natal care. All scans are performed by appropriately qualified advanced practice sonographers who are HPC (Health Care Professions) state registered.

We adhere to the ALARA principle (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) i.e. we will not expose your baby to ultrasound for excessive periods and limit our appointment times to 30 minutes. (See question concerning rescans if the baby is in such a position in the womb that obtaining the required images is not possible.)

What happens if my appointment time
runs out and the sonographer has been unable
to obtain a satisfactory 3D image because my
baby is lying in such a position that the images
are not obtainable?

Each appointment time is for half an hour. However, we book appointment times every 10 minutes so that if the baby is in an awkward position for scanning then the mother can walk around for a while before being called back in for another look. For this reason there may be several mothers in our waiting room and also you may have to wait for a while beyond your appointment time.

We make every effort to obtain satisfactory images but, if after the half hour time allocation has been used up, we still have not been able to get a good image then you will be given one free rescan appointment. If we are unsuccessful for a second time then any further appointment slots must be paid for.

Please note that we do not give refunds if the baby is lying in a position such that we are unable to get the required 3D images. However, you will still receive some normal 2D images (the type that are given out during your routine ante-natal care, although our images are better quality on glossy photographic paper) as well as a full baby well being scan report.

Who performs the scans?

All scans are performed by appropriately qualified advanced practice sonographers with relevant experience in obstetric ultrasound scanning. The sonographer's are all HPC (Health Care Professions) state registered.

What happens if the sonographer, as part of the well being scan, finds a problem?

It is very unlikely that there will be a problem. We book 3D scans at a time after the routine anomaly scan has been performed and so if a problem had existed then it is likely it would have been seen at that time. However, problems do arise occasionally and in these cases full support will be given.

We have consultant obstetrician backup for our service and advice as to the most appropriate care will be given at the time of the scan. Arranging appropriate referral and support forms an integral part of each of our sonographers professional roles in the NHS and so services offered by Bournemouth Baby Scans are an extension of this.

Can I bring anyone with me?

Yes, adults and children are welcome but due to space limitations within the scan room we ask that there is a limit of 4 persons.

How do I make an appointment?

All our appointments are currently made over the phone. You can find out about how to book an appointment, and information about cancellations / late arrivals on the "Book Now page.

Must I pay for the scan before or after the scan.

You must pay for your scan when you make an appointment. Please note that if we are unable to obtain a satisfactory image of the baby one free rescan will be offered. No refunds are given if the reason that the images are unobtainable is due to the position that the baby is in.

When do I come for my scan?

The best time to come for a 3D scan is between 24-28 weeks. Please ensure that you book your scan within this time frame (please refer our obstetric calendar). If you are later that 28 weeks, we can still perform a 3D scan so long as the fetal head is not deep within the maternal pelvis. Please do not book earlier than 24 weeks as the babies at this early stage appear skeletal as they have not obtained sufficient weight.

Do I need to bring anything?

All that you need to bring is your pregnancy notes.

How long is my appointment slot?

We allocate half an hour for each scan. However, we make appointment slots 10 minutes apart so that if the baby is not in a good position to scan we have time to allow the mother to walk around whilst getting on with another scan. It is for this reason that you may be kept waiting a while beyond your scan appointment but please understand that it is because we want to achieve the very best results for everyone.

Please also note, however, that if you are late for your appointment slot, we may not be able to allocate the full half hour - so it always pays to get there on time. No refunds are given if you do not arrive for your scan.

Do I get a refund if I cancel my appointment?

Cancellations made by clients at least two working days prior to their appointment will be given a full refund minus an administration fee of 10%. Where less than 2 working days notice of cancellation is received, the fee is not refundable.

What if I am expecting twins?

This is not a problem, just book as usual. There will be no extra charge although if we are only able to obtain a good 3D image of one of the babies, a free rescan will not be offered.

Do I need a full bladder?

We ask that you have a comfortably full bladder which sometimes helps with imaging. It can also help if the baby is in an awkward position for scanning as going to the loo sometimes encourages the baby to move into a better position. Don't overfill your bladder. We all know how uncomfortable this is! Instead, just try to avoid going to the loo in the period leading up to your scan.