What is a wellbeing scan and why is it important?

*Motherhood Diaries is working with MyBaby4D in Watford to raise awareness among pregnant couples about the importance of ultrasound scans during pregnancy to monitor the health and well-being of your baby. We were provided with the opportunity to review the Wellbeing Scan for the article – all opinions are 100% my own*

Under the NHS, you are offered two pregnancy scans (a third scan may be advised later). These are:

• 12-week scan (around 10 to 14 weeks) – This is a dating scan where the sonographer estimates your baby’s due date based on their measurements. The dating scan can also include a nuchal translucency scan, which is part of the combined screening test for Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome and Patau’s syndrome (this is optional).
• 20-week scan (around 18 to 20+6 weeks) – This is called a mid-pregnancy or anomaly scan and is also part of the screening test. The sonographer checks for 11 physical conditions in your baby.
• 36-week growth scan (this is optional). Depending on your health and pregnancy, this scan may be offered and can also be called a foetal growth and well-being scan. The scan also checks whether the baby is in an ideal position for birth.
• You can also opt for an early reassurance scan or viability scan as early as 6 weeks if you are experiencing any complications like bleeding/spotting or tummy pain. I bled throughout my first trimester, so I booked an early reassurance scan with Hey Baby 4D Watford. You can learn more about the importance of an early reassurance scan here.

There is quite a bit of waiting time between these scans, so it’s common to spend the interim worrying about whether your baby is doing ok. An ultrasound foetal wellbeing scan can bridge the gap and spot for any anomalies before you attend your 20-week scan (which is still advised as part of your complete antenatal care package).

So, what is a wellbeing scan from 16 weeks?

A well-being scan can allow you to check if your baby is growing well. This includes:

• Checking the measurements of the foetal head, abdomen, and thigh bone
• Calculating and estimating foetal weight.
• Examining the movements of the foetus
• Evaluating the position of the placenta and its appearance.
• Checking the amount of amniotic fluid present in the womb

Our experience having a wellbeing scan at My Baby 4D Watford

MyBaby 4D Watford kindly gifted us a wellbeing scan during week 17 of our pregnancy so we could check how our baby was growing and whether there were any other issues which needed to be flagged before our 20-week NHS scan. I had been spotting until 13 weeks, so I was very eager to check how my membranes were doing and whether my baby was ok because I hadn’t felt her move yet. I was so glad to see that she was jumping around enjoying herself in my tummy! The heartbeat was clear and the image on the TV was so crisp that we could immediately spot that she was a girl. We could even see the umbilical cord and her drinking!

We weren’t able to get a 3D preview because she wasn’t in the right position, but Saad, the owner of Hey Baby 4d Watford, said that it’s too early for a 4D scan, as babies can look a bit alien-like at 17 weeks, anyway. The best time to have a 4D preview would be at a well-being scan at around 27 or 28 weeks.

Dalson, the licensed sonographer and wife of Saad, managed to get a lovely picture of the baby’s feet and legs, which was beautiful to see. She explained in great detail where each of the organs and limbs was. The membranes outside looked good too, which I was relieved about, as my membranes rupturing was my biggest fear.

The scans were also in sepia rather than the grey you see at the hospital. I found that sepia made it easier to see the baby in detail, and the two printed scans we were provided with showed the clarity of our new baby.

We were also provided a foetal wellbeing scan report, which showed that the baby’s measurements were all in the normal range. The report showed:

• Foetal growth and measurements
• The head circumference
• Femur length
• Abdominal circumference
• Estimated foetal weight based on the circumference
• Position of the placenta
• Limbs and organs were seen in the scan

You can also check the gender of your baby – if you want to!

The primary objective of the wellbeing and gender ultrasound scan is to check the well-being of your baby, but if the baby allows, you can determine the gender too from 16 weeks of pregnancy and with a free 3D preview—again, if the baby allows! Normally, you would need to wait for your 20-week scan via the NHS, so the private wellbeing and gender scan suits impatient parents who want to find out the gender ASAP, like me!

The exclusive Hey Baby Gender Reveal Lighting will turn the whole room pink if you’re having a girl and blue if you’re having a boy. You can also video the experience to share with your loved ones.

What’s included in the Wellbeing and Gender Scan?

• 15-minute appointment
• Baby’s gender reveal
• Exclusive gender reveal lighting
• Free 4D preview – If the baby is not in a good position, a re-scan will not be offered for this purpose only. Best to request a 4D preview from 27 to 28 weeks
• Wellbeing check and report
• 2 prints of scan photos
• You can also ask for digital download images for £10 (An additional £5 for video too)
• You can purchase a Gender Reveal Balloon for £10.00 to reveal to the family.
• You can also purchase Gender Reveal Confetti Cannons for £10.00

The foetal wellbeing ultrasound price package from 16 weeks costs £65.

During COVID times, you can bring one person to the scan, but you must be from the same household.

You can book a Well-Being and gender Scan from 16 weeks and a Well-Being and 4D Baby Scan from 24 to 32 weeks. MyBaby 4D also performs Growth and Presentation Scans from 28 weeks to term. You get a full written Obstetric report that comes with graphs showing how your baby’s measurements are plotting, as well as an estimated weight.

Book your wellbeing and gender scan now here!

Ensure you are properly hydrated an hour before your scan. If you have questions, contact MyBaby 4D or find a nearby clinic.

Mybaby 4D Watford is the trading name of Ultrasound Image Studio Ltd.

*Motherhood Diaries was gifted the Wellbeing and Gender Scan for the purposes of a review, but all opinions are 100% our own.*