Private pregnancy scans: what to know before you book

Private baby scans are popular, and for many people they’re a lovely extra. But they aren’t all the same, and they don’t replace NHS scans. Here’s what to know before you book.

NHS scans vs private scans

The NHS says hospitals in England offer at least two scans, at 11 to 14 weeks and 18 to 21 weeks, and more if you need them. There are no known risks to you or your baby from an ultrasound scan, according to the NHS. Private scans are an extra. Tommy’s says extra private scans aren’t needed for most pregnancies and shouldn’t replace the routine NHS scans. An RCOG leader quoted by Which? says NHS scans at around 12 and 20 weeks remain the safest way to monitor a baby’s health and growth.

What types are there?

Reassurance scans. These check your baby is alive and developing. A BBC investigation reported by Tommy’s found some studios sell reassurance scans with no real medical benefit.
Gender scans. Which? notes it isn’t always possible to see, because of the baby’s position.
3D and 4D scans. Which? says they are not more accurate than 2D scans, and calls them ‘nice to haves’.
Diagnostic scans. Some private clinics offer full diagnostic checks, others only produce pictures. Check which you’re buying.

What to check first

What exactly is included. Is it a diagnostic scan, or a souvenir scan? The RCOG has said private companies have a duty to make this clear.
Who does the scan. Which? reports that anyone can call themselves a sonographer. Ask for their name and qualifications, and check whether they’re registered with the HCPC or NMC, or hold a CASE-accredited qualification.
Regulation. In England, private scan providers should be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which you can check on the CQC website. In Scotland, many baby scan clinics are not registered with Healthcare Improvement Scotland, because only clinics that meet the legal definition of an independent clinic have to be, so ask. In Wales and Northern Ireland, ask the provider which body regulates them.
Cost. In a 2021 Which? survey of 1,000 parents, 17% said their private scan cost more than expected. Ask for the full price.

The Society of Radiographers says scans shouldn’t be done solely to produce souvenir images, and does not recommend Doppler for non-diagnostic scans. If a clinic offers to play your baby’s heartbeat early on, you can ask how and why.

Please don’t book one instead of getting help

If you have bleeding, cramps or pain in early pregnancy, contact your GP, midwife or early pregnancy unit straight away, rather than booking a private scan. See early pregnancy scans. And if your baby’s movements slow down, stop or change, call your midwife or maternity unit straight away, day or night. Don’t wait until the next day, and don’t use a home doppler or a phone app to check the heartbeat, because they aren’t reliable.

If a private scan finds something

Tell your midwife and ask for a referral to NHS care. The Society of Radiographers recommends follow-up scans are done by the same provider where possible.

Questions people ask

Can I buy a home ultrasound?

The Society and College of Radiographers and the British Medical Ultrasound Society advise against home ultrasound machines (reported by Which?), because use without training could give false reassurance or harm sensitive organs.

Is a private scan more accurate than an NHS scan?

Not necessarily. Which? notes that going private doesn’t guarantee a better scan, and some private scans may miss medical issues.

I’m anxious after a loss. Would a private scan help?

Some people find reassurance scans helpful. Tell your midwife how you feel, because there may be support or extra monitoring on the NHS too.

Will a private scan show everything?

No. Some private scans have missed conditions. See the 20-week scan for what the NHS scan checks.