If you're offered an appointment for a scan here at the fetal medicine unit, the information here will help you prepare for your visit.

Please note, we recommend that you do not bring children and advise you to arrange childcare for your fetal medicine appointment; if you have any childcare issues, please call to discuss this prior to your appointment.

We try to allocate appropriate time for consultations so we can give everyone the time they need. However, due to the complexity some consultations may take longer and this may result in delays, We hope you understand if you are kept waiting.

Patients and visitors are able to access car parking at Princess Anne Hospital. Car parking charges apply but we do offer discounts for patients and visitors. There are drop-off and collection points around the UHS site (please see the parking map) and free facilities for motorbikes and cycles.

At peak times parking will be limited, so please allow extra time before your appointment to park or consider using public transport (there is a bus stop outside the Hospital).

Before your scan

We will take a detailed history, then take you to the scan room. You may be scanned by more than one person. Depending on the reason for your referral, we may also have a specialist doctor from cardiology, surgery or neurology attending your scan.

As we are a teaching unit involved in the training of midwives, doctors and medical students, they may also be working with us and observing the scan. We aim to limit the number of observers to a maximum of two, please let us know if you would prefer not to have any present.

During your scan

The scan will concentrate on the area that is causing concern, but we will also look carefully at the entire baby. The consultation and scan usually take around 30-60 minutes, but may take longer depending on the position of the baby, the view, and the problem being investigated. A fetal medicine consultant or specialist performs the scan, and will store still images and videos of your baby as part of your hospital record.

After your scan

After your scan, the doctor and one of our fetal medicine midwives will take you to a room to fully explain the scan findings. They will also discuss any further investigations that you may be offered and options for further management of your pregnancy. There will plenty of opportunity at this point for you to ask questions, and it may help to write them down before you come to your appointment. You may feel that you need to return home to absorb all the information you have been given before you can make any decisions. We normally arrange either to telephone you or for you to come back and see us again when you have had time to consider all the information.

When you leave the department, we will give you a written report summarising our findings and what we have said to you.

We will ensure you have our telephone numbers so that you can contact us should you have further questions. Our role is to support you during and after your visit to the fetal medicine unit, and to give you as much information as you require. We will usually inform your GP by letter and your local community midwife will be made aware, so that they are able to offer support at home as well.

What happens when I come in?