What is this scan for?
The Early Growth with Gender Scan is designed to check your baby’s growing in line with previous scans and check baby’s basic structure and anatomy. It’s also possible to assess baby’s gender with 97% accuracy from 14 weeks (although gender assessment is a bi-product of this scan and not charged for). This scan also gives you the chance to ask Dr. Penman any questions you may have about your pregnancy and baby.
If you have any questions about this scan not answered on this page, please call Helen, Dr. Penman’s PA, on 07943 951912.
The Early Growth with Gender Scan should:
- Check your baby’s growing in line with previous scans
- Check baby’s basic structure and anatomy
- Assess the gender of your baby (if you wish to know)
Dr Penman was very welcoming, he went through everything thoroughly and explained everything clearly! He made me and my partner feel at ease, and no question was too much! We asked Dr Penman to write down the sex of our baby so we could do a gender reveal with our boys, which he did willingly! Now after 3 boys, Dr Penman told us we have a little girl on the way! We’re so happy with our experience and would definitely recommend Dr Penman!
When can I have an Early Growth with Gender Scan?
This scan is performed between 14 and 19 weeks.
How Accurate Is The Scan?
Assessing baby’s gender is possible from 12 weeks but is more accurate the further you are in pregnancy. However certain factors need to be considered when assessing the accuracy of the scan, such as mother’s BMI, position of the baby, etc Below you can see the general accuracy of the gender assessment, depending on the week of pregnancy:
- 12 weeks – 80-90%
- 13 weeks – 90-95%
- 14 weeks – 93-97%
- 16 weeks – 98- 99.9%
Who performs the scan?
Dr. Penman, Consultant Fetal Medicine Specialist, performs the scan.
Dr. Penman has over 25 years of experience as a Consultant Gynaecologist and Fetal Medicine Specialist. He has a fully private baby scan and gynaecology clinic based in Kent, England, and specialises in numerous areas, including prenatal screening and diagnosis of fetal abnormalities, recurrent miscarriage, and infertility.
Dr. Penman will conduct the scan and will explain all the findings and results to you during your appointment. You can ask him any questions about your pregnancy and baby.
Why have a scan with Dr. Penman?
Dr. Penman is a Consultant Fetal Medicine Specialist. So not only is he a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaegologist, but he has also undertaken extra specialist training in Fetal Medicine.
This higher level of expertise ensures that you receive the best possible care when you have your scan.
How long is the Early Growth with Gender Scan?
The appointment takes 20 minutes.
The actual scan will be around 5-10 minutes.
When you arrive at the therapy centre, you will be welcomed by a member of the staff who will check you in and let Dr. Penman know you have arrived. The time you have booked for your appointment is the time you will be seen – there are no waiting times when you book to see Dr. Penman privately.
Dr. Penman will come to greet you and show you to the scan room where he will take your medical history and conduct the scan. Throughout the scan, Dr. Penman will point out details on the screen to you. He will explain what he sees and answer any questions you may have about your pregnancy and baby.
What should I do before this scan?
You don’t need to do anything in particular before this scan. It is helpful to have your notes from previous scans (if they were not conducted with Dr. Penman). Also, your bladder should not be empty, but it shouldn’t also be uncomfortably full.
What’s included in this scan?
The Early Growth with Gender Scan includes:
- a medical report of the scan for your records
- a CD of 2D and 3D baby scan images (these are free)
- a DVD of 4D baby scan images (these are free)
- a safe, inclusive environment
- longer appointment times
- high-quality, professional care from Dr Penman, Consultant Fetal Medicine Specialist
- A guaranteed appointment time with no waiting
- Easy, free parking
What happens if Dr. Penman detects any abnormalities?
If Dr. Penman detects anything of concern about your pregnancy or baby at your scan, he will discuss the findings with you, answer any questions you may have, and help you plan the next steps.
If necessary, he will organise further testing for you.
What affects the quality of my baby scan image?
Dr. Penman always tries his best to get you the great scan images that you’re after. He knows it’s important to you to see your baby before they’re born and have great images of them to remember for years to come.
There are, however, some things that can affect the quality of the images you get. Here are a few of them:
- Baby’s position
- Number of babies
- Maternal BMI
Sometimes, your little one just isn’t in the right position to get the best scan images possible, or they’re too cramped next to their siblings if you’re expecting multiples. Often, if the mother has a raised BMI, this decreases the scan image quality.
But, rest assured, Dr. Penman will make sure he tries his utmost to get you the best ultrasound images he can.
If Dr. Penman detects anything of concern about your pregnancy or baby at your scan, he will discuss the findings with you, answer any questions you may have, and help you plan the next steps.
If necessary, he will organise further testing for you.
Please note that if Dr Penman cannot get good images for 3D or 4D, or he cannot accurately assess your baby’s gender, there is no rescan.