A pregnancy growth and wellbeing scan uses gestation-specific measurements and observations to address an agreed imaging question. It supports, but does not replace, your antenatal or urgent maternity care pathway.
Ultrasound uses sound waves rather than ionising radiation to create real-time images. The clinic team confirms the examination, current preparation requirement and appropriate clinical pathway before an appointment is arranged.
A scan answers a defined imaging question. Your symptoms, history and examination still matter, and the report may lead to GP, specialist, antenatal, breast or urgent-care follow-up where that is clinically appropriate.
Written & reviewed by
Victoria Medical Ultrasound Pathway Team
Specialist sonography and consultant-led clinical pathways
What a Private Pregnancy Growth and Wellbeing Scan Can Assess
This scan is selected for a defined growth or wellbeing question at an appropriate gestational stage. Growth describes change over time, so a clinician may need to compare findings with prior dating, previous scans and your antenatal history.
| Area or question | What the scan may help assess |
|---|---|
| Fetal biometry | Measurements interpreted against the confirmed gestation and approved protocol |
| Amniotic fluid and placenta | Relevant observations within the agreed clinical scope |
| Doppler or additional assessment | Only where clinically indicated and within the confirmed service pathway |
Preparation Before Your Appointment
Contact the clinic with your gestation, reason for the scan and maternity information. Bring prior imaging reports and antenatal records if available. The team will confirm the exact appointment type and whether any preparation applies.
Preparation summary: Confirm before booking — The clinic confirms gestation, the clinical question and any required preparation before an appointment is arranged.
What Happens During the Scan
The sonographer performs the agreed external scan and records the observations required by the confirmed protocol. The appointment can vary in length depending on gestation, fetal position and the imaging question.
- Bring relevant referral letters, prior imaging reports or test results if you have them.
- Tell the sonographer about a change in symptoms, recent treatment or anything that may affect the examination.
- Ask before the scan if you are unsure whether this is the right appointment for your clinical question.
Results and Next Steps
The report should be reviewed within the appropriate maternity or antenatal pathway. A result may lead to routine follow-up, repeat imaging, obstetric review or an urgent maternity response depending on the findings and your symptoms.
When to Use an Urgent Pathway Instead
Reduced or changed fetal movements, vaginal bleeding, severe abdominal pain, severe headache, visual disturbance, sudden swelling, breathlessness or feeling acutely unwell need the appropriate urgent maternity or emergency route. Do not wait for a routine growth scan.
A routine private ultrasound appointment must not delay urgent assessment. If symptoms are severe, sudden, worsening or you feel seriously unwell, use the appropriate NHS urgent or emergency route.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
Confirm the right scan
The clinic checks your clinical question, gestation where relevant, and any preparation requirement before booking.
Prepare for the appointment
The clinic confirms gestation, the clinical question and any required preparation before an appointment is arranged.
Attend in Victoria
Our clinic is at 170 Vauxhall Bridge Road, around two minutes from Victoria Station.
Plan the next step
The report is considered alongside your symptoms and the relevant clinical pathway.
Frequently Asked Questions
References
- [1]Salomon LJ et al. ISUOG Practice Guidelines: ultrasound assessment of fetal biometry and growth. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2019.
- [2]Lees CC et al. ISUOG Practice Guidelines: diagnosis and management of the small-for-gestational-age fetus and fetal growth restriction. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2020.
- [3]Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Patient information and clinical guidance for early-pregnancy care.
- [4]NHS. Pregnancy, birth and baby care information, including urgent maternity routes.
Related Services at Victoria Medical