What is this scan for?
The Nuchal with Early Gender is one of the first scans you’ll have in pregnancy.
It’s designed to detect certain abnormalities with your baby such as Down Syndrome. It’s also possible to assess baby’s gender with 85% accuracy from 12 weeks (although gender assessment is a bi-product of this scan). The accuracy increases the further you are in pregnancy. 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 Nuchal with Early Gender should:
- Detect certain abnormalities including Down Syndrome
- Assess the gender of your baby (if you wish to know)
- Accurately date the pregnancy
- Check the pregnancy is located in the uterus
- Check the number of fetuses
- Detect the heartbeat
When Can I Have a Nuchal with Early Gender Scan?
This scan is performed between 11 weeks and 1 day to 13 weeks and 6 days.
It’s important to have the scan within these dates as the various measurements taken will be inaccurate if outside these parameters and will skew the results.
Assessing baby’s gender is possible from 12 weeks but is more accurate the further you are in pregnancy. Below you can see how accurate gender assessment is depending on the week of pregnancy.
- 12 weeks – 80-90%
- 13 weeks – 95%
- 14 weeks – 97%
- 16 weeks – 99.9%
Who Performs This 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 Nuchal with Early 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.
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!
What Should I Do Before This Scan?
It’s helpful to have a rough idea of the first date of your last period. If you come and you are too early for the nuchal scan, Dr Penman will perform a viability/reassurance scan and £35.00 will be refunded.
Additionally, your bladder shouldn’t be empty, but it doesn’t need to be uncomfortably full. This can help to get a better view of baby.
What’s Included in This Scan?
The Nuchal with Early Gender Scan includes:
- a medical report of the scan for your records
- a CD of 2D and 3D baby scan images
- a DVD of 4D baby scan images *if scan is after 12 weeks
- a safe, inclusive environment
- longer appointment times
- high-quality, professional care from Dr Penman, Consultant Fetal Medicine Specialist
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. If you decide at this point you wish to have a Harmony NIPT test, Dr Penman can perform this for you, by taking your blood for testing. We will charge you the difference between the nuchal scan and Harmony Test price which will be a charge of £315 (for singleton)
What affects the quality of my baby scan images?
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 can decrease scan image quality too.
But, rest assured, Dr. Penman will make sure he tries his utmost to get you the best ultrasound images he can. However he does not rescan for gender if he cannot assess it during the normal process of the scan.