Concierge obstetric imaging · London
Early gender and fetal wellbeing scan, 16-week reassurance and gender reveal by an accredited sonographer.
From 16 weeks of pregnancy, a private early gender and fetal wellbeing ultrasound offers reassurance of fetal wellbeing and confirmation of gender. Performed by an accredited sonographer in a comfortable private clinic — with printed and digital images.
Why parents choose us
- 01
Accredited sonographer
Every scan is performed by an accredited sonographer working to BMUS and Society and College of Radiographers standards.
- 02
Reassurance, not replacement
A private wellbeing look between NHS scans — designed to complement, never substitute, your NHS 20-week anomaly scan.
- 03
Printed and digital images
You leave with printed photos and a USB of digital images — and, if you wish, confirmation of your baby’s gender.
Key facts
The early gender and fetal wellbeing scan at a glance.
Six things worth knowing before you book — what the scan is, who performs it, and where it fits alongside your NHS antenatal care.
In short
A private ultrasound from 16 weeks that combines fetal wellbeing and gender — a 20–30 minute scan by an accredited sonographer.
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Definition
A private ultrasound from 16 weeks combining fetal wellbeing assessment with gender confirmation.
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Who performs it
An accredited sonographer, in a comfortable private clinic room.
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Preparation
No fasting or preparation. Drink water an hour before to help visualisation.
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Duration
20–30 minutes on the couch — enough time to be unhurried.
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What you take home
Printed images and a USB of digital images, plus a plain-English report.
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Where it fits
Complements the NHS 20-week anomaly scan; it does not replace it.
Preparation
From arrival to images — what happens, in order.
Little to prepare — a full bladder helps, and the rest is unhurried.
Phase 1 · Before your scan
A little water, a little timing
Phase 2 · On the day
~20–30 minutes at the clinic
Phase 3 · After
Images and summary
- 01
Before
Ideally 16–20 weeks gestation
The scan is best performed between 16 and 20 weeks, when fetal anatomy and gender are visible on trans-abdominal imaging.
- 02
Before
Drink water 1 hour beforehand
A comfortably full bladder lifts the uterus into a better acoustic window. No fasting is needed.
- 03
On the day
Warm ultrasound gel
The contact gel is warmed, so the first touch is comfortable. You can wear whatever is easiest.
- 04
On the day
Trans-abdominal scan
The sonographer moves a handheld probe across your lower abdomen — painless, radiation-free, and safe in pregnancy.
- 05
On the day
Fetal position confirmed
Presentation, lie and activity are checked; occasionally we ask you to walk around to encourage the baby to move.
- 06
On the day
Gender assessed (parental consent)
Only if you wish — we ask before revealing, and can write the result down for a reveal at home.
- 07
After
Printed and USB images provided
You leave with printed photos, a USB of digital images and a plain-English wellbeing summary.
What it shows
What the sonographer checks during your scan.
A focused wellbeing look — heartbeat, growth measurements, fluid, placenta and, if you wish, gender. Any concern triggers an urgent maternal-fetal medicine referral.
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Fetal heartbeat and rate
A visible heartbeat with a rate in the expected range for gestation.
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Fetal biometry (BPD, HC, AC, FL)
Biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference and femur length — the four core growth measurements.
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Fetal position and presentation
Lie, presentation and general activity of the baby at the time of the scan.
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Amniotic fluid volume
A visual assessment of amniotic fluid around the baby, flagging obviously reduced or increased pockets.
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Placental location
Where the placenta is lying relative to the cervix — an important safety check between anatomy scans.
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Gender confirmation (parental preference)
Gender is checked and shared only with your explicit consent — never volunteered.
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Multiple pregnancy status
Confirms singleton or multiple pregnancy and, where relevant, twin type.
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Red flag: suspected anomaly — urgent maternal-fetal medicine referral
If a structural concern is identified, we arrange urgent onward referral to maternal-fetal medicine.
Next steps
What can follow a wellbeing scan.
For most, reassurance and a return to routine care. For a small number, an onward specialist pathway.
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Continue routine antenatal care
Attend your community midwife and NHS appointments as scheduled — this scan sits alongside them.
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NHS 20-week anomaly scan
The formal anatomy scan is performed by the NHS between 18 and 20+6 weeks; keep that appointment.
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Reassurance report
A plain-English summary of biometry, fluid, placental site and wellbeing is provided for your notes.
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Serial growth scans for at-risk pregnancies
For pregnancies at risk of growth restriction, serial growth scans from 28 weeks may be recommended.
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Maternal-fetal medicine referral for anomaly
Any suspected structural anomaly is referred to a fetal medicine consultant on an urgent pathway.
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Serial biophysical profile if indicated
Where wellbeing needs closer surveillance, serial biophysical profiles can be arranged.
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Postnatal paediatric plan
If a finding needs postnatal follow-up, we help coordinate a paediatric plan before delivery.
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Bereavement pathway if applicable
In the sad event of a loss identified at the scan, a bereavement pathway with specialist support is offered immediately.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of clinics, we picked them.
Partners across central, north, west and south London. Introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every clinic in our network.
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Accredited sonographers (Society and College of Radiographers, CASE-accredited training)
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BMUS-aligned protocols for early wellbeing and gender assessment
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Onward maternal-fetal medicine referral pathway for any suspected anomaly
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Written wellbeing summary released alongside printed and digital images
Red flags
When a wellbeing scan is not the right first step.
If any of these apply, please contact your maternity unit or midwife directly — a private wellbeing scan is not a substitute for urgent obstetric review.
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Reduced fetal movement
Any change in your baby’s usual pattern of movement is a same-day maternity triage call, not a private appointment.
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Suspected structural anomaly
A suspected anomaly triggers urgent onward referral to a maternal-fetal medicine consultant.
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Growth restriction
Biometry falling behind expected centiles prompts a plan for serial growth surveillance.
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Placenta praevia
A low-lying placenta covering the cervix needs a repeat scan and an obstetric plan for delivery.
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Vasa praevia
Fetal vessels crossing the internal os is a rare but serious finding requiring specialist review.
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Cervical incompetence
A short or funnelling cervix warrants urgent obstetric review and a cervical length plan.
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Multiple pregnancy discordance
A significant size difference between twins requires specialist multiple-pregnancy follow-up.
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Reduced amniotic fluid
Oligohydramnios needs prompt obstetric review and repeat surveillance.
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Maternal medical comorbidity requiring MFM
Diabetes, hypertension or clotting disorders often need a fetal medicine plan alongside routine care.
Sources
The guidance behind this page.
This patient guide is written against current UK guidance from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, NICE, the British Medical Ultrasound Society and the Society and College of Radiographers.
Reviewed
Last reviewed 2026-07-30 · Next review 2027-07-30.
Clinically reviewed by Pulse Atlas Editorial Board, . Reading time approximately 5 minutes.
- 01 Guideline
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists — guidance on antenatal ultrasound.
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists — guidance on antenatal ultrasound.
- 02 Guideline
NICE. Antenatal care (NG201).
- 03 Guideline
British Medical Ultrasound Society — safety statements and practice guidelines.
British Medical Ultrasound Society — safety statements and practice guidelines.
- 04 Guideline
Society and College of Radiographers — obstetric ultrasound standards.
Society and College of Radiographers — obstetric ultrasound standards.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover depends on your policy and clinic; we confirm with your insurer before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything parents ask about the early gender and wellbeing scan.
Quick answers on timing, safety, accuracy, preparation, and how this scan sits alongside your NHS anomaly scan.
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When is the best time for an early gender and fetal wellbeing scan?
From 16 weeks of pregnancy, once fetal anatomy and external genitalia are visible on trans-abdominal ultrasound. Between 16 and 20 weeks is the sweet spot for both wellbeing assessment and reliable gender confirmation.
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Does this scan replace my NHS 20-week anomaly scan?
No. The NHS 20-week anomaly scan is a formal, protocol-driven anatomy survey and remains the standard of care. This private scan is a shorter wellbeing and gender look that complements — never replaces — your NHS appointment.
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How accurate is gender determination at 16 weeks?
When performed by an accredited sonographer with good fetal position and clear views, gender determination from 16 weeks is highly accurate. We share gender only with your explicit consent and will tell you honestly if the view is not clear enough to be confident.
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Is the scan safe for me and my baby?
Ultrasound uses sound waves, not radiation, and diagnostic obstetric ultrasound performed to BMUS standards is considered safe at any stage of pregnancy. There are no known risks to you or your baby.
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Do I need to prepare or fast beforehand?
No fasting is needed. Drinking a glass or two of water an hour before helps lift the uterus into a better acoustic window. Wear something comfortable that allows easy access to your abdomen.
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What images and report do I take home?
You leave with printed photos, a USB of digital images and a plain-English wellbeing summary covering biometry, amniotic fluid, placental location and — if you wish — gender.
Related tests
Looking for a different test?
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Early pregnancy ultrasound
Viability and dating scan in the first trimester.
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Anomaly scan
The formal 18–20+6 week fetal anatomy survey.
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Amniocentesis
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In practice, in London
What early gender fetal wellbeing scan looks like on the ground in London
With early gender fetal wellbeing scan, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it — not whether the scan is available. Public provision for early gender fetal wellbeing scan is competent but constrained by capacity. Private London clinics tend to have shorter diaries and longer appointment slots, so you get the same specialists with more time. For people who’ve been going round in circles with primary care, that first proper conversation is often what shifts things.
Once you’re in the private system for early gender fetal wellbeing scan, the pace picks up noticeably. Consultant slots run to time, imaging is usually available in the same building or a short walk away, and the report comes back typed and detailed. It’s the coordination that tends to feel different — one person on the other end of the phone, not a switchboard. For early gender fetal wellbeing scan specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.
Where a good concierge earns its keep is in the matching. There are dozens of consultants in London who see early gender fetal wellbeing scan — but not all of them are the right fit for every case. We narrow it down based on subspecialty, insurer coverage, the specific question being asked, and whether continuity into treatment matters. The right first appointment saves you from repeating yourself later.