Neurodiversity information for parents and young people
About a nuchal scan
The nuchal scan is sometimes called a ‘dating scan’ or a ‘first trimester scan’. It is offered to all pregnant women between 11 and 14 weeks of pregnancy.
The scan is to done to:
- check your baby’s heartbeat
- check the health and development of your baby
- measure the length of your baby to calculate your expected due date
- to confirm how many babies you are having
- offer screening for three chromosomal conditions.
If any concerns are raised at this scan, we will arrange an appointment for you to talk to the Fetal Medicine team.
Screening
It is important that you have read our screening leaflet before your appointment.
Copies are also available at reception when you arrive.
If you do not wish to have chromosomal screening, tell the person doing your scan.
All pregnant women are offered the Combined test when they come for their nuchal scan. This test screens for Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome and Patau’s syndrome.
It is called the Combined test because it combines an ultrasound scan with a blood test. This is used to calculate the chance of the baby having a chromosomal condition. The blood test is carried out on the same day as the nuchal scan. We will give you the results around 2 weeks later, either by letter or telephone.
If we find that you are more than 14 weeks pregnant when you come for your scan, we will offer you the Quadruple test instead of the Combined test. There is more information about this in the screening leaflet.
Coming to the appointment
You will need to have a full bladder for the scan. This helps to get a better view of your baby.
- About 1 hour before your appointment, you should empty your bladder.
- Then drink 1 litre of water or squash. Do this slowly over 30 to 45 minutes. Do not drink fizzy drinks.
If you prefer, you can arrive for your appointment early and complete these steps in the Antenatal Clinic. - Unfortunately, scan appointments often run late because some women end up needing longer scans. If you get desperate to empty your bladder before your scan, tell a member of the reception team.
- If you think it will be difficult for you to manage a full bladder, tell us beforehand. We will do what we can to offer our support and make it easier for you.
You should arrive at least 30 minutes before your appointment to allow for parking and registering at reception. The appointment will take about 1 hour.
If you are more than 10 minutes late for your appointment, we may not have time to see you. If so, we will send you details of a new appointment for another day.
Please note, your employer is required by law to give you time off for pregnancy care.
Do not bring children
You are welcome to bring one adult with you but do not bring children to your appointment.
Photographs
Photographs of your baby cost £5. If your scan is done at Raynes Park Health Centre, you will only be able to pay with cash and no change can be given. Recording the scan on mobile phones or other devices is not permitted.
Contact information
If you have problems in attending your appointments, contact us using the details listed here.