Concierge fetal medicine · London
Second-trimester anatomy scan and uterine artery Dopplers, extended fetal anomaly scan at 18–22 weeks with placental function assessment.
A private second-trimester anatomy scan (18–22 weeks) is the extended fetal anomaly assessment — including cardiac and central nervous system detail — with uterine artery Doppler for pre-eclampsia and IUGR risk stratification.
Why patients choose us
- 01
Fetal medicine hands
A consultant fetal medicine specialist or accredited fetal sonographer performs and reports the extended anatomy scan — not a generalist.
- 02
Extended, not routine
Beyond the NHS anomaly scan: detailed cardiac views, CNS detail, and uterine artery Dopplers folded into one appointment.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Key facts
What the extended anatomy scan actually is.
Six facts about the second-trimester anatomy scan with uterine artery Doppler — the ones that make it clinically distinct from the routine 20-week scan.
- 01
Extended anatomy + uterine artery Doppler
A private second-trimester anatomy scan combines the extended fetal anatomy survey with uterine artery Doppler indices.
- 02
Performed at 18–22 weeks
The optimal window for cardiac and CNS anatomy, placental assessment and cervical length.
- 03
Radiation-free
Ultrasound only — safe in pregnancy at any gestation.
- 04
Consultant or accredited sonographer
Performed by a consultant in fetal medicine or an accredited fetal sonographer, with structured reporting.
- 05
Complements the NHS anomaly scan
Sits alongside — not instead of — the NHS 20-week scan, adding cardiac detail and Doppler risk stratification.
- 06
Foundation for pre-eclampsia risk
Uterine artery Doppler PI is a validated marker for pre-eclampsia and IUGR risk in the second trimester.
Indicative pricing
What a private second-trimester scan costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner fetal medicine units. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
Extended anatomy + uterine artery Doppler in our network: £350–£550, with the report the same day.
| Scan type | Indicative range | Typical duration | Report turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extended second-trimester anatomy scan | £280–£450 | 45 min | Same-day |
| Anatomy + uterine artery Doppler | £350–£550 | 50 min | Same-day |
| Anatomy + Doppler + cervical length (TV) | £400–£650 | 60 min | Same-day |
| Fetal cardiac scan (specialist) | £450–£750 | 45 min | Same-day |
| Full fetal medicine consultation + scan | £550–£950 | 60 min | Same visit |
| Urgent same-week fetal medicine review | £500–£900 | Half-day | Same-week |
Prices vary by clinic, whether uterine artery Doppler and cervical length are added, and whether the appointment includes a same-visit fetal medicine consultation. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
An anatomy scan is only as good as the person reporting it.
Cardiac views, CNS detail and uterine artery Dopplers are the answer — and the person interpreting them decides how those findings translate into risk and the next step. We route you to a consultant fetal medicine specialist or accredited fetal sonographer, not a generalist.
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Want more than the NHS 20-week scan?
We arrange the extended anatomy assessment with detailed cardiac views and CNS detail.
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History of pre-eclampsia or IUGR?
We add uterine artery Dopplers and, if indicated, folded-in serial growth surveillance.
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Prior obstetric complication?
We fold the scan into a fetal medicine plan — cervical length, aspirin, MFM review if needed.
The journey
From consultation to report — what happens, in order.
One clinician from first message to report — often within the same appointment.
Phase 1 · Before your scan
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
~45–60 minutes at the clinic
Phase 3 · After
Concierge, back on
- 01
Before
Fetal medicine or sonography consultation
A short, confidential form. Gestation, dating scan, obstetric history, comorbidities, insurer if you have one.
- 02
Before
Full bladder for the transabdominal scan
You will be asked to arrive with a comfortably full bladder to lift the uterus into a favourable window.
- 03
On the day
Extended fetal anatomy scan
A detailed head-to-toe fetal anatomy survey — brain, spine, heart, abdomen, kidneys, limbs and face.
- 04
On the day
Uterine artery Doppler PI
Pulsatility index measured in both uterine arteries; bilateral notching flagged if present.
- 05
On the day
Cervical length assessment (option)
Transvaginal cervical length if clinically indicated — the gold standard for pre-term birth risk stratification.
- 06
After
Structured report
A structured written report to ISUOG standards, with images, delivered to you and your obstetrician.
- 07
After
Structured antenatal plan
Onward plan agreed: reassurance, aspirin prophylaxis, serial growth scans, or MFM pathway if indicated.
Typical end-to-end: 1–5 days. Urgent cases: same day.
What it shows
What the extended anatomy scan actually assesses.
A detailed head-to-toe fetal survey, placental assessment and uterine artery Doppler — each finding tied to a defined onward pathway.
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Fetal brain and spine
Ventricles, cerebellum, corpus callosum, posterior fossa and spinal integrity.
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Fetal heart (4-chamber + outflow tracts)
Structural cardiac survey — chambers, outflow tracts and the three-vessel view.
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Fetal abdomen and kidneys
Stomach, bowel, abdominal wall, kidneys, bladder and renal tracts.
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Fetal limbs and face
Long bones, hands and feet, facial profile, lips and orbits.
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Placenta location
Placental site relative to the cervical os — praevia flagged and re-scan planned if low.
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Amniotic fluid volume
Deepest vertical pocket or amniotic fluid index, with red-flag thresholds noted.
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Uterine artery Doppler PI
Pulsatility index in both uterine arteries — a validated marker for pre-eclampsia and IUGR risk.
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Red flag: bilateral uterine artery notching — MFM pathway
Bilateral notching triggers a formal maternal–fetal medicine review and a written aspirin plan.
Onward pathway
What the scan leads to — the antenatal options that follow.
Every finding maps to a defined next step — reassurance, aspirin, serial surveillance, cerclage, or formal fetal medicine review.
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Reassurance if normal
A normal extended anatomy scan and normal Doppler indices — reassurance and routine antenatal care continue.
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Serial growth scans (SGA / IUGR)
Serial fortnightly or four-weekly growth ultrasounds when uterine artery Dopplers or estimated fetal weight raise SGA concern.
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Aspirin prophylaxis
Low-dose aspirin from before 16 weeks (or the earliest opportunity thereafter) when pre-eclampsia risk stratification is high.
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Cervical cerclage (short cervix)
Consideration of cervical cerclage or progesterone when cervical length is short in the appropriate clinical context.
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Fetal medicine MDT review
Formal multidisciplinary review when a structural anomaly, arrhythmia or complex twin pregnancy is identified.
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Postnatal paediatric planning
Antenatal planning with paediatric cardiology, surgery or neurology when a postnatal pathway needs to be pre-arranged.
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Structured antenatal follow-up
A written follow-up schedule — next scan, next bloods, next clinic — so nothing slips between providers.
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Multi-disciplinary team review
MDT co-ordination between obstetrics, fetal medicine, midwifery and paediatrics for high-complexity pregnancies.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of fetal medicine units, we picked them.
Partners across central, north, west and south London. Not listed publicly — introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every fetal medicine unit in our network.
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Consultant fetal medicine specialists or accredited fetal sonographers (RCOG / FMF-recognised)
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Structured reporting to ISUOG mid-trimester anatomy and Doppler standards
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Same-visit report, with images available for onward maternal–fetal medicine review
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Onward MFM pathway if a structural anomaly, short cervix or abnormal Doppler is identified
Red flags
The findings that change the pathway.
The scan is safe — the reason it matters is what it can pick up. These are the red-flag findings that trigger a defined onward plan.
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Fetal structural anomaly
Any identified structural anomaly triggers a formal fetal medicine review and a written onward plan.
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Bilateral uterine artery notching
Bilateral notching or a raised uterine artery PI is a validated marker for pre-eclampsia and IUGR risk.
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Short cervix (< 25 mm)
A cervical length under 25 mm at this gestation prompts consideration of cerclage or progesterone.
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Placenta praevia
Low-lying placenta or placenta praevia is flagged and a follow-up transvaginal scan is arranged.
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Reduced amniotic fluid
Oligohydramnios raises the index of suspicion for placental insufficiency, renal anomaly or ruptured membranes.
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Estimated fetal weight < 10th centile
An EFW below the 10th centile triggers a growth-restriction pathway with serial scans and Dopplers.
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Twin-to-twin transfusion sequelae
In monochorionic twins, discordant fluid or growth prompts urgent tertiary fetal medicine review.
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Fetal arrhythmia
A sustained fetal arrhythmia triggers a fetal cardiology referral for detailed echocardiography.
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Maternal comorbidity requiring MFM
Pre-existing hypertension, diabetes, autoimmune disease or prior obstetric loss warrants an MFM-led plan.
Reading your report
A fetal anatomy 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 obstetrician, 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, gestation and dating
Your details, gestational age from the dating scan, and the indication for the extended anatomy assessment.
- 02 Technique
Probes and views obtained
Transabdominal (and, where relevant, transvaginal) probe used, with a note of the anatomy views achieved.
- 03 Findings
Anatomy survey and Doppler indices
Structured biometry, anatomy checklist, placental site, amniotic fluid and uterine artery Doppler PI.
- 04 Impression
The conclusion: read this first
Normal or specific concern, with a concrete next step — read this first.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover depends on your policy and clinic; we confirm with your insurer before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about the second-trimester scan.
Quick answers on timing, uterine artery Doppler, safety, referrals, and what happens if something is found.
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How is this different from the NHS 20-week anomaly scan?
The NHS anomaly scan is a national screening programme that covers a defined checklist of fetal anatomy. A private extended second-trimester scan sits alongside it, adding a more detailed cardiac assessment, extended CNS views and uterine artery Doppler indices for pre-eclampsia and growth-restriction risk stratification. It is complementary, not a replacement.
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When should the scan be performed?
The optimal window is 18–22 weeks. Earlier than 18 weeks the cardiac and CNS anatomy is often too small to fully characterise; later than 22 weeks calcification of the fetal skull can limit brain views. Uterine artery Doppler is validated in this window.
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What does uterine artery Doppler tell you?
Uterine artery pulsatility index (PI) reflects placental resistance. A raised PI — particularly with bilateral notching — is a validated marker for increased risk of pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction, and prompts consideration of aspirin prophylaxis (if not already started) and closer surveillance.
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Is the scan safe in pregnancy?
Yes — ultrasound uses sound waves, not radiation, and is the standard imaging modality in pregnancy. The second-trimester scan is one of the most widely performed and best-validated obstetric investigations.
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Do I need a referral?
Most private fetal medicine units accept self-referral. Where a formal referral is required for insurance, we can arrange a fast-track private GP or obstetric referral.
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What happens if something is found?
If a structural anomaly, abnormal Doppler, short cervix or growth concern is identified, the report is discussed with you at the appointment and a formal maternal–fetal medicine pathway is arranged — with your NHS team, your private obstetrician, or both.
Sources
What this guide is based on.
- Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Guidance on antenatal ultrasound and fetal medicine.
- Fetal Medicine Foundation. Second-trimester screening and uterine artery Doppler.
- International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology (ISUOG). Practice guidelines for the mid-trimester fetal ultrasound scan.
- NHS Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme (FASP). Standards and pathway.
Published 2026-07-30. Last reviewed 2026-07-30. Next review 2027-07-30. Reading time ~6 minutes. Reviewed by Pulse Atlas Editorial Board ().
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In practice, in London
Why private second trimester anatomy scan moves differently in London
With second trimester anatomy scan, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it — not whether the scan is available. On the NHS, second trimester anatomy scan typically sits behind a triage step and a wait that can stretch from a few weeks into months. In London’s private sector, the same appointment often lands within days. That speed matters when symptoms are disrupting work, sleep, or a plan you’d already committed to — and it’s the single most common reason people call us in the first place.
A private second trimester anatomy scan pathway in London usually looks like this: an initial consultation, any diagnostics booked at a nearby facility (most within Zone 1 or 2), and a written report sent to you and your GP within a few days. The consultants we work with hold NHS posts alongside their private lists, which keeps the standards consistent across both settings. For second trimester anatomy scan specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.
The value of going through a concierge for second trimester anatomy scan isn’t access — anyone with an insurer or a credit card can get a private appointment in London. The value is knowing which consultant reads this particular presentation best, which unit turns reports around fastest, and which pathway won’t hit a dead end if the findings point somewhere unexpected.