FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions
At Discovery Ultrasound, we understand what a stressful time it can be going through the process of having a baby. We are here to provide help and extra reassurance which is not always possible within the NHS. Please see our frequently asked questions as they may answer some of your queries before booking. You are also as always more than welcome to give us a call on 01424 230297 to discuss any concerns.
We offer a service which compliments the scans offered by your hospital. This does not replace the routine 12 and 20 week scans. We can offer scans in addition to those offered by the NHS and sometimes sooner than your hospital is able to offer you an appointment.
Your routine hospital scans are performed to an allocated time and the sonographer is often under pressure to perform multiple checks within this time. Here at Discovery Ultrasound, we are able to provide a relaxed, calm environment for you to enjoy your scan, and to be able to experience an amazing 4D image of your baby.
A 2D scan is the more traditional scan which shows a flat image of the baby. 3D and 4D are essentially the same thing (the fourth dimension being real time) which shows a more life-like three dimensional image.
Simply call us on 01424 230297 or email us at info@discoveryultrasound.co.uk
You may reach our answering service if you choose to call us, but please leave a message and be assured we will return your call as soon as we can.
We ask for £40 deposit for Silver and Gold 4D scan packages, and £20 for all other scans. This can be paid by card over the phone.
The deposit is non refundable, except in certain cases (such as miscarriage) where sufficient notice of cancellation is received. Refunds are at the discretion of Discovery Ultrasound Kent and Sussex. One change of appointment is permissible with at least full working days notice. Refunds are not given with a failure to attend the appointment.
We are sorry to have had to introduce deposits, but sadly due to a small number of clients not attending appointments, we have had to take this measure. We do appreciate that unforeseen events do occur and would consider refund of a deposit on an individual basis.
If you are attending for a silver or gold package 4D scan ( not the 16-24 week scan), we will rebook you for one further scan, to be taken with within two weeks of the initial appointment. If we are unable to obtain images of the baby after 2 attempts we will not request any further payment in addition to your deposit which has already been paid. However, we will be unable to refund your deposit due to the length of time spend trying to obtain the images over 2 appointments.
If you come to us between 16 and 36 weeks, and wish to know the gender, we are happy to look for you. Occasionally we may not be able to determine the gender but if the sonographer feels this is due to the position of the baby then we will invite you to re-attend on another day or later that day.
There is no evidence that ultrasound scanning is unsafe during pregnancy. However, here at Discovery Ultrasound we take safety very seriously and we monitor the output of our ultrasound machine to keep it as low as possible. This is also the reason that we limit the number of scans we offer to 4 during any one pregnancy.
The position of the baby may cause us to not obtain the best images. If this is the case there are a few things we can try to move the baby.
The build of the mother is a contributing factor. The image quality may be affected by ladies who are overweight. If you feel this may apply to you, please feel free to discuss your concerns with us and we will advise you as best as we can. Most ladies gain a few pounds during pregnancy so please do not feel in any way embarrassed to call us!
We accept debit card, credit cards and cash payments. We cannot take payment from American Express cards or by cheque.
In the UK, there is no law governing the use of ultrasound equipment. Regardless of where you choose to have your scan we strongly recommend that you check the qualifications of the person who will perform it.
Most sonographers are from a radiography, midwifery or gynaecology specialist nurse background. Please check that your practitioner holds either a Diploma in Medical Ultrasound (DMU), Post graduate certificate (PgCert) or Post Graduate Diploma (PgDip).
We recommend that if you are scanned by a doctor that they have undergone ultrasound training in accordance with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) or Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) and hold a Diploma in Obstetric Ultrasound
Yes! May we request that they remain seated so that the sonographer can concentrate on your scan and also so that you benefit fully from your scan.
We are located on the ground floor and there is ramp access to the building. Please call us to discuss any special access / mobility requirements.
Our sonographers are very experienced there is always a small possibility that we may see something which is unexpected. This is why we will ask for the details of your GP, midwife and the hospital where you are having your pregnancy care. We will inform you straight away if we have any concerns and will contact your primary care provider immediately to refer you for further investigation.
During the first trimester the measurement obtained of the baby is the crown-rump length (CRL). From this we can determine an estimated due date.
During the second and third trimesters, the baby’s head circumference, abdominal circumference and femur length are obtained as standard measurements. We are then able to plot these on standards charts used throughout the UK to assess how well the baby is growing.
For more information – http://www.bmus.org/policies-guides/23-17-3-161_ultBMUS.pdf
We understand that this is a costly time. Unlike some other clinics we do not charge extra for twins or triplet pregnancies. Please do let us know when you book that you have a twin or triplet pregnancy so we can allocate extra time for you.