Concierge fetal & maternal imaging · London
Pregnancy MRI, radiation-free fetal / maternal imaging when ultrasound is inconclusive.
Pregnancy MRI (fetal MRI) is a radiation-free, non-invasive imaging test — used when ultrasound is inconclusive. Complements the anomaly scan for suspected brain, chest, abdominal or placental anomalies, and for maternal indications like appendicitis or cholecystitis.
Why patients choose us
- 01
Fetal-medicine reporting
We route you to a consultant fetal / maternal radiologist — the person who reads the scan decides the answer.
- 02
Radiation-free by design
Pregnancy MRI uses magnetic fields, not X-rays. IV contrast is avoided in most protocols.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Key facts
Pregnancy MRI at a glance.
The six things worth knowing before you or your clinician request one — what it is, when it’s used, and what to expect.
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Definition
MRI of the fetus and/or mother during pregnancy — used when ultrasound is inconclusive.
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Radiation-free
No ionising radiation. Magnetic fields and radiofrequency pulses only.
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Timing
Usually performed in the 2nd or 3rd trimester, once fetal anatomy is clearer.
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Contrast
No IV contrast in most protocols — gadolinium is generally avoided in pregnancy.
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Role
Confirms and characterises anomalies found on ultrasound; complements the anomaly scan.
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Maternal indications
Safe for maternal appendicitis, cholecystitis and cord compression when US is limited.
The problem
When ultrasound leaves the question open.
Ultrasound is the workhorse of pregnancy imaging — but sometimes the answer needs cross-sectional detail. Pregnancy MRI is what fetal-medicine teams reach for next.
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Anomaly found on US?
MRI characterises brain, chest, abdominal and spinal findings that ultrasound cannot fully resolve.
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Suspected placenta accreta?
MRI defines the depth of invasion and directs specialist delivery planning.
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Maternal appendicitis?
MRI is the safe cross-sectional test of choice when US is inconclusive in pregnancy.
The journey
From referral to MDT plan — what happens, in order.
One fetal-medicine pathway from consultation to structured plan — usually within days.
Phase 1 · Before your scan
Referral and safety screen
Phase 2 · On the day
~30–45 minutes at the clinic
Phase 3 · After
Consultant report and MDT
- 01
Before
Fetal medicine or maternal consultation
A referring fetal-medicine or obstetric consultation clarifies the clinical question before booking.
- 02
Before
Metal safety check
Standard MRI safety screen for implants, devices and any recent surgery.
- 03
On the day
Position supine or lateral
You lie on the scanner table, supine or in left lateral tilt for comfort in later pregnancy.
- 04
On the day
Fast if IV contrast (rarely needed)
Most pregnancy MRI protocols avoid contrast — fasting is only required in the rare case it is planned.
- 05
On the day
MRI sequences (T2 HASTE, DWI)
Ultra-fast T2 HASTE sequences freeze fetal motion; DWI and other sequences added as clinically indicated.
- 06
After
Consultant fetal / maternal radiologist reports
Images are read by a subspecialty consultant — not a general radiologist.
- 07
After
Structured MDT plan
Findings feed into a fetal-medicine MDT with a clear onward plan for you and the baby.
Typical end-to-end: 3–7 days. Urgent cases: same day.
What it shows
When pregnancy MRI is the right test.
Fetal MRI answers a specific set of clinical questions that ultrasound cannot fully resolve. These are the presentations we see most.
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Fetal brain anomaly
Ventriculomegaly, CCAM and other CNS findings that need characterisation beyond ultrasound.
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Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Quantifies lung volumes and liver position to guide postnatal planning.
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Placenta accreta spectrum
Assesses depth of placental invasion when US suggests accreta, increta or percreta.
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Fetal spinal defect
Clarifies neural tube defects and the level and extent of any spinal lesion.
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Twin-to-twin transfusion sequelae
Characterises brain injury in the surviving twin after complicated monochorionic pregnancies.
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Maternal appendicitis
Safe first-line cross-sectional test for suspected appendicitis in pregnancy.
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Maternal cord compression
Assesses spinal cord and cauda equina when maternal neurology develops in pregnancy.
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Red flag: placenta accreta with vasa praevia — MFM MDT
Suspected accreta with vasa praevia is an obstetric emergency pathway — MFM MDT, not a private outpatient booking.
Next steps
What happens after the scan.
The scan is one step. The onward plan — MDT review, delivery planning, postnatal pathway — is what actually shapes outcomes.
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Fetal medicine MDT
Findings reviewed by a multidisciplinary fetal-medicine team — obstetrics, radiology, neonatology.
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Postnatal paediatric planning
Prenatal findings translate directly into a postnatal paediatric surgical or medical plan.
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Serial follow-up scans
Repeat imaging to track evolution of a fetal or placental finding across pregnancy.
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Termination discussion (severe cases)
When findings are severe, an informed discussion of continuation or termination — patient-led.
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Elective delivery planning
For placenta accreta and similar: elective caesarean in a specialist unit with blood products on standby.
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Neonatal ICU cot planning
Advance NICU cot booking when postnatal intensive care is anticipated.
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Multi-disciplinary team review
Formal MDT with paediatric surgery, cardiology or neurology as the findings demand.
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Bereavement pathway if applicable
Compassionate bereavement support and follow-up when a lethal anomaly is confirmed.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of clinics, we picked them.
Fetal-medicine partners across central and greater London. Not listed publicly — introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every clinic in our network.
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Consultant fetal / maternal radiologists — subspecialty trained
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MRI protocols following RCR and Fetal Medicine Foundation guidance
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Structured reports with images available for onward MDT review
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Onward fetal-medicine MDT pathway if significant findings
Red flags
When pregnancy MRI is urgent, not optional.
Certain fetal and maternal presentations demand cross-sectional imaging and a specialist pathway — not a routine outpatient wait.
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Placenta accreta spectrum
Suspected accreta, increta or percreta warrants MRI characterisation and a specialist delivery plan.
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Suspected fetal brain anomaly
MRI clarifies ventriculomegaly and cortical malformations when ultrasound is limited.
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Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Quantifies observed-to-expected lung volumes for prognostication.
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Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome
MRI assesses neurological consequences in the surviving twin after TTTS.
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Fetal ventriculomegaly
Characterises severity and associated CNS findings that ultrasound cannot fully resolve.
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Neural tube defect
Clarifies the level and extent of open spinal defects and associated Chiari II findings.
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Maternal appendicitis in pregnancy
MRI is the safe cross-sectional test of choice when US is inconclusive and CT is undesirable.
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Cord prolapse risk
Assesses maternal spinal or cord findings that raise the risk of intrapartum compromise.
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Maternal thrombosis / VTE
MRI (with MR venography) evaluates suspected pelvic or cerebral venous thrombosis in pregnancy.
Reading your report
A pregnancy MRI report can look intimidating. It isn’t.
Whatever the finding, the report keeps to the same four parts.
A quiet reminder
The report is written for your fetal-medicine team, not for you — and that’s normal.
If you would like us to talk you through it before your follow-up, just ask.
- 01 Header
Indication and gestational age
Your details, the reason for the scan, and the gestational age that shapes interpretation.
- 02 Technique
Sequences and planes
Which sequences (T2 HASTE, DWI, others) and planes were used, and whether contrast was avoided.
- 03 Findings
Fetal, placental and maternal findings
Structured description of the fetus, placenta and any maternal findings pertinent to the referral.
- 04 Impression
The conclusion: read this first
A clear summary — normal, or a named finding — and the concrete onward MDT step.
Sources & clinical guidance
- RCOG. Green-top guidelines on pregnancy and antenatal care.
- UK National Screening Committee. Fetal anomaly screening programme.
- Royal College of Radiologists. Guidance on MRI in pregnancy.
- Fetal Medicine Foundation. Educational resources on fetal imaging.
Last reviewed 2026-07-30. Next review 2027-07-30. Reading time approximately 6 minutes.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about pregnancy MRI.
Quick answers on safety, timing, contrast, duration and what to expect during the scan.
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What is a pregnancy MRI?
Pregnancy MRI (fetal MRI) is a radiation-free, non-invasive imaging test used when ultrasound is inconclusive. It complements the anomaly scan for suspected brain, chest, abdominal or placental anomalies, and for maternal indications like appendicitis or cholecystitis.
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Is MRI safe in pregnancy?
Yes — MRI uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency pulses, not ionising radiation. It is considered safe at any stage of pregnancy for well-defined clinical indications. Most protocols avoid gadolinium IV contrast in pregnancy.
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When is fetal MRI usually performed?
Usually in the second or third trimester, once fetal anatomy is clearer on imaging. Timing depends on the specific clinical question — placental accreta, brain anomaly, diaphragmatic hernia and others each have their own optimal window.
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Will I need IV contrast?
In most pregnancy MRI protocols, no. Gadolinium-based contrast crosses the placenta and is generally avoided in pregnancy unless the clinical benefit clearly outweighs the theoretical risk — a decision your fetal-medicine consultant will discuss with you.
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How long does a pregnancy MRI take?
Typically 30–45 minutes on the scanner. Ultra-fast T2 HASTE sequences freeze fetal motion, so many protocols are quicker than an equivalent adult MRI.
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Will the noise or magnetic field harm my baby?
Current evidence does not show harm to the fetus from clinical MRI at any trimester. Acoustic noise reaching the fetus is attenuated by maternal tissues and amniotic fluid, and remains within safe limits at 1.5T and 3T for clinically indicated scans.
Related tests
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Early pregnancy ultrasound scan
Dating, viability and reassurance in early pregnancy.
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Anomaly scan
The mid-trimester detailed fetal anomaly ultrasound.
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In practice, in London
Why private pregnancy MRI moves differently in London
With pregnancy MRI, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it — not whether the scan is available. The wait for pregnancy MRI on the NHS depends heavily on where you live and how urgently the referral is graded. Central and West London private clinics can normally book within a week, with imaging or a procedure slot to follow shortly after. It’s worth being honest about the reason for going private: usually it’s time, not a fundamentally different test.
In practice, a private pregnancy MRI appointment in London means a named consultant, a proper hour in the room (or the equivalent on a video call), and a report you can actually read. Most of the imaging suites and endoscopy units we use sit within a mile of Harley Street or in Chelsea and Fulham, and turnaround on findings is measured in days, not weeks. For pregnancy MRI specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.
Fit matters more than people expect. For pregnancy MRI, the right consultant depends on what you actually need — a second opinion, a definitive diagnosis, a bridge into treatment, or reassurance that nothing’s being missed. We match on that, not on who has the biggest brochure. If a test isn’t the right next step, we’ll say so before you book anything.
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