Frequently Asked Questions
Everybody is different and some people can have scans later than others, but the optimum time for a 3D/4D scan is 26-32 weeks. As this is a relatively short window of time it is advisable to pre-book a few weeks before if possible.
We suggest a little bit earlier for twins due to the fact there is less room in there to move. The optimum time would be approximately 25 weeks.
We will not charge any more for your scan but please be advised that each baby will not have as much time in the limelight as an individual baby would. If you would like to book a longer appointment we can offer 15 mins extra for £20.
Even though the scan is for entertainment purposes only Bump of Churchtown Ltd feel it is very important that the person performing your scan has a post graduate diploma in ultrasound, trained in the NHS to enable them recognise any potential problems that an unqualified operator or technician may miss. So please be assured that if a problem is seen you will be best placed to be referred to your local hospital or midwife immediately.
All scans performed at Bump of Churchtown are done for the purpose of entertainment and not to check for fetal abnormalities. However, if a problem is found, the Sonographer will explain the findings to you and provide you with a referral letter for you to take to your midwife or GP to inform them of this information.
Yes it is best to book an appointment to guarantee we have one for you. We may have last minute cancellations and suggest you call 01704 620213 if any last minute scans are required.
We do not have a carpark but there is plenty of free on street parking in Churchtown village yards away from the studio.
Yes! in fact we welcome family and friends to the scan and can comfortably seat up to six people in the scanning room. We also display the images on a 42inch monitor to allow for everyone in the room to watch the scan. This is the reason we felt it was necessary to open Bump of Churchtown as the NHS do not always allow this.
There are a lot of factors involved in getting great images of your baby and it depends on which way your baby is lying at the time of the scan. Some chocolate, a fizzy drink and a quick walk around Churchtown village has been known to move even the most stubborn of babies. Other factors may include maternal factors and placental position. If baby is persistent and does not want to help we offer a free rescan to try again.
Unfortunately, not. It is down to baby and factors that cannot be changed how good these images are.
We take a £20 deposit for every scan. This can be paid either online via paypal or over the phone by debit/credit card. The remainder of the balance can be paid on the day. We accept cash, debit and credit cards.
Please note this is appointment can be changed provided 48hrs notice is given to change the appointment.
Please wear loose fitting clothes and bring your hospital notes with you. These are required just in case we need to contact your midwife/hospital.
This depends on which scan you are coming for. We suggest coming with a comfortably full bladder and we can always empty it if it is not required.
No this scan is in addition to your routine antenatal hospital scans and does not replace them. This is not a diagnostic scan so we will not be looking for any potential problems. Therefor you must still attend all of your normal hospital appointments.
Your scan time is limited to 15 mins to keep to the safe guidelines but we offer a 30 minute appointment so you do not feel rushed.
Sometimes baby may need a little bit of encouragement to move so you may be with us longer than this to ensure we get you the best images
We will do our very best to find out for you but it depends on the babies position.
If you do not wish to find out the sex of your baby during your scan please let us know prior to the scan and we will try our very best to keep away from that area.
Clinical studies have been performed over the past 30 years and no known harm has been detected to mother or baby from these trials.
The scanning equipment that Bump of Churchtown is the latest ultrasound machine that GE have on the market, bought new by us in 2016. We make sure that our equipment is operated at settings that conform to the BMUS guidelines for non-diagnostic scanning.
To perform the scan ultrasound waves (signals) are sent from the probe into the mother and when they reach the baby they are returned to the probe and the computer forms and image which is what is shown on the computer screen. The intensity of these signals sent into the mother are the same exposure as the conventional 2D image that is seen when you attend your appointment for screening scans in the hospital, the computer just uses different algorithms to produce the 3D/4D image. Ultrasound has been used to gain diagnostic obstetric information in hospitals and clinics worldwide for over 30 years and no known harm has come to either mother or baby as a result of this.
If you would like to find out more information regarding the risks ultrasound poses to your baby please go to www.bmus.org/obstetric-pregnancy and read through British Medical Ultrasounds advice.