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Concierge fetal-medicine imaging · London

Third-trimester wellbeing and reassurance scan, growth, wellbeing and Doppler check from 28 weeks onwards.

A private third-trimester wellbeing scan (28–40 weeks) — estimated fetal weight, amniotic fluid, umbilical artery Doppler, middle cerebral artery Doppler and biophysical profile. Reassures parents-to-be, complements NHS antenatal care, and flags SGA / IUGR early.

  • Definition
  • From 28 weeks
  • Radiation-free
  • Delivered by accredited sonographer
  • Complements NHS antenatal care
  • Same-day report and images
See indicative pricing
An accredited fetal-medicine sonographer performing a third-trimester wellbeing scan in a private London clinic

Why parents choose us

  • 01

    The right hands

    We route you to an accredited fetal-medicine sonographer — the person who scans you and reports the growth, Doppler and biophysical profile.

  • 02

    Same-day report

    Findings are discussed in the room, with a written report and images the same day — MFM referral if anything needs it.

  • 03

    Independent, and free

    We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing — a private scan that complements NHS antenatal care.

Indicative pricing

What a private third-trimester wellbeing scan costs in London.

Indicative ranges across our partner fetal-medicine clinics. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.

In short

A full wellbeing scan in our network: £280–£450, with a written report and images the same day.

Scan type Indicative range
Third-trimester wellbeing scan (growth + Doppler + BPP) £280–£450
Growth-only scan (serial surveillance) £220–£360
Presentation and liquor check (late third-trimester) £180–£280
Wellbeing scan + fetal medicine consultation £450–£850
Serial growth package (three scans, 2-weekly) £650–£1,050
Urgent same-week wellbeing scan £350–£650

Prices vary by clinic, whether serial growth follow-up is included, and whether a same-visit fetal-medicine consultation is booked. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.

The problem

NHS antenatal care doesn’t routinely scan for growth after 20 weeks.

Between the anomaly scan and delivery there is often no ultrasound at all. A private third-trimester wellbeing scan closes that gap — reassuring parents-to-be, and flagging small-for-gestational-age or placental insufficiency early enough to change the plan.

  • Worried about reduced movements?

    A same-day wellbeing scan alongside your NHS pathway — never instead of it.

  • Small bump, or a previous SGA baby?

    A single scan quantifies the growth trajectory; serial scans confirm the pattern.

  • Reassurance before delivery?

    Growth, presentation, placenta location and Doppler — the practical planning picture.

The journey

From consultation to plan — what happens, in order.

One fetal-medicine team from first message to structured plan — often within days.

  1. 01

    Before

    Fetal medicine consultation

    A short, confidential form — gestation, movements, NHS pathway, comorbidities. We come back with a plan within one working day.

  2. 02

    Before

    Full bladder for TA scan

    Simple preparation for the transabdominal approach. We confirm timing and any hydration guidance from the clinic.

  3. 03

    On the day

    Fetal biometry

    Head circumference, abdominal circumference, femur length — the estimated fetal weight (EFW) plotted on a centile chart.

  4. 04

    On the day

    Umbilical + MCA Doppler

    Umbilical artery pulsatility index and middle cerebral artery pulsatility index — the vascular story behind the growth.

  5. 05

    On the day

    Cerebroplacental ratio calculated

    The MCA/UA ratio — a sensitive marker of placental compromise, especially near term.

  6. 06

    On the day

    Biophysical profile

    Fetal tone, movement, breathing and amniotic fluid — a structured wellbeing score alongside the Doppler.

  7. 07

    After

    Structured plan

    A same-day report and images — with an onward MFM or NHS antenatal referral pathway if anything needs it.

Typical end-to-end: 1–3 days. Urgent cases: same day.

What it shows

The eight things a wellbeing scan answers.

Growth, fluid, Doppler and biophysical profile — the four pillars of third-trimester wellbeing, broken into the specific outputs your report will contain.

  • Estimated fetal weight (EFW)

    Biometry plotted on a centile chart — the primary output for growth assessment.

  • Amniotic fluid index

    Quantifies the liquor volume — a core signal for placental function and fetal wellbeing.

  • Umbilical artery PI

    Pulsatility index in the umbilical artery — placental resistance to fetal flow.

  • Middle cerebral artery PI

    MCA pulsatility — the fetal cerebral vascular response to any placental compromise.

  • Cerebroplacental ratio

    MCA/UA ratio — a sensitive late-pregnancy marker of placental insufficiency.

  • Placenta location

    Anterior, posterior, fundal or low — with any praevia or accreta features noted.

  • Fetal presentation

    Cephalic, breech or transverse — a practical planning point from 36 weeks onwards.

  • Red flag: reduced CPR + reduced amniotic fluid — MFM referral

    A combined pattern that warrants same-day maternal-fetal medicine review.

Care pathways

What the scan can lead to — the eight most common pathways.

From reassurance through to NICU cot planning — the range of downstream care the scan can trigger, always in step with your NHS antenatal team.

  • Reassurance

    A normal EFW, Doppler and biophysical profile — the most common outcome, and the point of the scan.

  • Serial growth scans

    Two-weekly biometry when a single scan raises a question about the growth trajectory.

  • Induction of labour (SGA / IUGR)

    The obstetric response when growth is small-for-gestational-age or the Doppler suggests placental insufficiency at term.

  • Emergency C-section

    Reserved for absent or reversed end-diastolic flow, reduced CPR with reduced fluid, or acute fetal compromise.

  • Corticosteroids for lung maturity

    A short course before anticipated preterm delivery to accelerate fetal lung maturation.

  • Structured antenatal follow-up

    A written plan folded back into your NHS antenatal pathway — never a parallel track.

  • MFM review

    Same-day or same-week maternal-fetal medicine opinion when the findings warrant it.

  • Neonatal ICU cot planning

    Advance NICU cot planning when preterm or complicated delivery is likely.

Our vetted London network

A small panel of fetal-medicine clinics, 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 clinic in our network.

A modern London fetal-medicine ultrasound room with a current-generation obstetric scanner
Accredited fetal-medicine sonographers
  • Accredited fetal-medicine sonographers, reporting to RCOG and ISUOG standards

  • Umbilical artery, MCA Doppler and biophysical profile performed to Fetal Medicine Foundation protocol

  • Same-day written report and images, with growth plotted on a validated centile chart

  • Onward maternal-fetal medicine or NHS antenatal referral pathway if anything needs it

Red flags and escalation

The nine findings that change the plan.

The third-trimester wellbeing scan is exceptionally safe — the practical value is knowing which findings need a same-day maternal-fetal medicine response, and which can be watched.

  • Reduced fetal movement

    A same-day scan is the right response — reduced movements are never a wait-and-see.

  • SGA / IUGR (EFW < 10th centile)

    Small-for-gestational-age or intrauterine growth restriction — the core reason for the wellbeing scan.

  • Absent / reversed end-diastolic flow

    The most serious umbilical artery finding — triggers immediate maternal-fetal medicine escalation.

  • Reduced CPR

    A reduced cerebroplacental ratio suggests placental insufficiency, even when EFW is preserved.

  • Oligohydramnios

    Reduced amniotic fluid — a marker of placental function that changes the delivery plan.

  • Placenta praevia

    A low-lying or covering placenta at 32–36 weeks — plans the delivery route.

  • Vasa praevia

    Fetal vessels crossing the cervix — a rare but critical finding for planned Caesarean.

  • Post-dates + reduced fluid

    A common late-pregnancy pattern that supports induction rather than expectant management.

  • Maternal comorbidity requiring MFM

    Hypertension, diabetes, autoimmune disease or prior pregnancy loss — MFM review sits alongside the scan.

Reading your report

A third-trimester report can look intimidating. It isn’t.

Whatever the finding, the report keeps to the same four parts.

An accredited fetal-medicine sonographer reviewing third-trimester wellbeing scan images on a clinical workstation, London

A quiet reminder

The report is written for your obstetric team — and that’s normal.

If you would like us to talk you through it before your NHS antenatal appointment, just ask.

  1. 01 Header

    Indication and gestation

    Your details, gestational age, the reason for the scan and any relevant obstetric history.

  2. 02 Technique

    Biometry and Doppler protocol

    Which measurements were taken and which Doppler indices interrogated, to FMF protocol.

  3. 03 Findings

    EFW, centile, Doppler indices, BPP, liquor

    Biometry plotted on a centile chart, umbilical and MCA pulsatility, CPR, amniotic fluid and biophysical score.

  4. 04 Impression

    The conclusion: read this first

    Reassuring findings, or the specific concern — with the concrete next step. Read this first.

Recognised by major UK insurers

BupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealix

Cover depends on your policy and clinic; we confirm with your insurer before booking.

Frequently asked

Everything we get asked about third-trimester scans.

Quick answers on timing, cost, safety, the NHS relationship, and what happens if the scan finds a problem.

  • What is a third-trimester wellbeing scan?

    A private ultrasound from 28 weeks that assesses fetal growth (estimated fetal weight plotted on a centile chart), amniotic fluid, umbilical artery and middle cerebral artery Doppler, and the biophysical profile. It reassures parents-to-be, complements NHS antenatal care, and flags small-for-gestational-age or intrauterine growth restriction early.

  • When should I have a third-trimester scan?

    From 28 weeks onwards. A single wellbeing scan around 32–36 weeks is common; serial growth scans every two weeks are used when there is a specific concern about growth or Doppler indices.

  • How much does a private third-trimester scan cost in London?

    A full wellbeing scan (growth, Doppler and biophysical profile) is typically £280–£450 in our network. A growth-only scan is £220–£360. We confirm a firm figure within one working day.

  • Does this replace NHS antenatal care?

    No. A private wellbeing scan complements NHS antenatal care — we send the report and images to your NHS team so nothing is duplicated or missed. If the scan finds anything of concern, we help escalate through the NHS pathway.

  • Is a third-trimester ultrasound safe?

    Yes. Diagnostic obstetric ultrasound uses sound waves, not radiation, and has an established safety record at any stage of pregnancy when performed by an accredited sonographer to ISUOG and RCOG standards.

  • What happens if the scan finds a problem?

    The sonographer explains the finding in the room and issues a same-day written report. If a reduced cerebroplacental ratio, reduced amniotic fluid, absent or reversed end-diastolic flow, or a growth restriction is found, we arrange a same-day maternal-fetal medicine referral and liaise with your NHS antenatal team.

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In practice, in London

Where third trimester wellbeing reassurance scan sits in a private London pathway

With third trimester wellbeing reassurance scan, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it — not whether the scan is available. Public provision for third trimester wellbeing reassurance 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 third trimester wellbeing reassurance 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 third trimester wellbeing reassurance scan specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.

We’re careful about what a private pathway for third trimester wellbeing reassurance scan can and can’t promise. It can compress a wait, put you in front of a subspecialist quickly, and get a proper report in your hands within a week. It can’t rewrite what the imaging or the bloods say. Setting that expectation up front tends to make the whole experience less stressful.

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