Scan FAQ

Some common questions and answers for services available at Starlight Ultrasound in Bury & Hale

Who can I bring with me to the scan?

There are no restrictions on the number of people, including children, who may accompany you at any scan appointment. We have enough seats for four or five extra people and can accommodate more people but ask you to confirm at the time of booking if there will be more than this number.

How do I prepare for my scan?

Do I need a full bladder?

Early Pregnancy, Gynaecological, Fertility & Renal Scans

You may eat and drink as normal however please drink a couple of glasses of water (approx 1 pint or half a litre) 45-60 minutes before your scan. If your bladder is full, this helps us to obtain clearer ultrasound images. Please do not empty your bladder until after the scan. For ladies, if a transvaginal (TV) or internal scan is also required, you will be able to empty your bladder prior to this.

All our Sonographers are qualified and able to perform transvaginal scans which does not cost extra and would be included in the price of the appointment.

Women's Health / Men's Health Abdominal Scan

Please have nothing to eat FOUR hours prior to your scan. Clear fluids including black tea/coffee are allowed. Please continue taking any regular medication.

Gender Scans

The closer to 13 weeks gestation, the more important it is to have a full bladder. For later gestation gender scans, whilst a full bladder is not essential, it is important for pregnant ladies to be well hydrated so 3/4 full is usually sufficient. This will help the sonographer obtain clearer images and help position baby. 

3D/4D/5D Scans

No preparation is necessary but if your appointment is at a time when you know baby is usually quiet or sleeping, it can help to have a sugary snack or fizzy drink 30-60 minutes prior to your appointment.

Do you offer internal or transvaginal scans?

All pregnancy, fertility and women's health scans will be transabdominal (on the stomach) in the first instance but our staff are qualified and experienced to offer transvaginal (internal) scans where consent is given and it is deemed necessary by the practitioner. There is no extra cost and there is no increased risk to the patient or the fetus. 

Do I need to bring my green maternity notes?

For gender scans please bring your notes or a dating scan report to confirm your gestation.

If you are attending an antenatal appointment with us, or you are a private midwifery client of Starlight or for any other reason if you require us to see, comment or add anything to them please bring them with you.

Is ultrasound safe for my baby?

There is currently no evidence to demonstrate that ultrasound will harm a mother or baby when performed by a qualified and competent professional such as a sonographer. No radiation is used during ultrasound, for this reason ultrasound scans have been used during pregnancy for decades. It is non-invasive and one of the safest forms of diagnostic testing.

However, just as ordinary sounds that are too loud can damage our hearing, so very high levels of ultrasound can produce undesirable effects, for example by warming the tissue through which the ultrasound beam passes. As a precaution, the sonographer will take every care to ensure that the level and duration of the ultrasound examination are no more than are necessary to obtain the diagnostic image or information. We follow clinical guidelines to ensure you and your baby are safe.

How early can I have a pregnancy scan?

Starlight Ultrasound offers early pregnancy scans from five weeks. A yolk sac can be detected as early as five weeks and an early scan can rule out an ectopic pregnancy whilst the fetal heartbeat is usually detected from six weeks which is the earliest a pregnancy can be confirmed as viable.

In the event it is too early to confirm viability by way of fetal heartbeat at your appointment we will rescan you for free a week or so later.

Recommended gestation for scans

  • Early viability scans: from five weeks
  • Dating Scan: any gestation
  • Gender Scan: from 13 weeks at the earliest
  • Anomaly Scan: between 18 weeks and 20 weeks + 6 but can be earlier/later if required
  • 4D Scans: around 28 weeks but 28-34 weeks is fine still

Is a gender scan accurate?

Gender determination at Starlight Ultrasound is accurate and reliable from 13 weeks. With a scan at any gestation there is a tiny chance (less than 1%) of it being wrong or inconclusive due to baby's development but even DNA blood tests don't claim 100% accuracy.  We perform 13-week gender scans and 14-week gender scans every single day we are open and are confident in our findings. Anyone claiming it is not possible before 16 weeks is not being truthful.

Are the people performing the scans medically qualified?

We only employ fully qualified and medically trained sonographers and midwives and as a diagnostic clinic we carry out medical scans for pregnancy including growth scans, anomaly / anatomy scans as well as viability and reassurance scans. If an abnormality or issue with your pregnancy or baby is identified, we will inform you and provide you with the appropriate referral and information. Non-obstetric scans are also only performed by sonographers with experience and qualifications in those areas. Written reports are provided within 24 hours of appointments for onward referral to your GP or other healthcare professional. We do not offer any service or test for which the person performing it is not suitably trained, qualified and supervised.

 

What's the difference between 2D, 3D, 4D & 5D Scans?

A 2D baby scan is the traditional outline of baby in black and white.
A 3D baby scan shows still pictures of baby in three dimensions.
A 4D baby scan shows live, moving 3D images of baby. 
A 5D baby scan is the latest and almost exclusive technology that we have providing the most realistic views of baby yet.

 

What happens if I need to re-arrange or cancel my appointment?

All bookings require a non-refundable deposit to secure your appointment. We require at least 48 hours notice to re-arrange or amend your booking. In most cases you can cancel or re-arrange your appointment online 24/7 via the link on your booking confirmation which is sent by SMS / text message and email. The limitation to this is that the system will only show availability with the practitioner you are currently booked with and at the same location. If you need to change the location, the practitioner or the type of service, you will need to contact us either via your booking link, live chat, social media or phone.

 

What happens if the sonographer can't complete the examination or if my baby is in the wrong position?

If your baby does not cooperate at the time of your scan, we may ask you to take a walk, have a drink or have a sugary snack to get the baby moving.

 

How long does the appointment take?

We advise you to arrive at our clinic slightly earlier than your appointment slot so you can locate us if visiting us for the first time, find a suitable parking space if arriving by car and complete the paperwork before your scan.

Average time spent in the clinic is 15-20 minutes but times may vary according to your personal circumstances. Typically early pregnancy scan appointments are shorter and 5D scans may be longer. Your appointment time includes completing paperwork and anything else associated with your specific scan and circumstances.

 

Can I buy extra items such as scan prints, balloons, Heartbeat Bears and confetti cannons?

Yes of course! If your scan package doesn’t include any item and/or you or any of your friends and family wish to buy extra scan prints, the digital pack, gender reveal balloons, confetti cannons and/or Heartbeat Bears they can do so. Nothing needs pre-ordering and everything is available on the day. 

We do not usually accept changes to our packages but upgrades (for example large cannon or heartbeat bear) and additions (extra items) are allowed.

The deluxe gender reveal balloon is also available on the day but if you are not doing your reveal the same day, we can arrange for you to come and collect it on the day of your reveal as the helium will not last overnight.

Here are prices for optional extras

 

Why is the pricing different for the same services between Hale and Bury clinics?

When we opened our Hale clinic the pricing for all services was the same at both clinic locations. However the reality is the base costs comprising rent, rates and utilities for the Hale clinic are more than double those in Bury and it is not sustainable to maintain a professional, safe clinic without charging slightly more for the same services at the Hale clinic. People are free to attend either and/or both clinics as they see fit based on price, availability, staff member preference or otherwise. 

Are your clinic locations accessible?

The Bury clinic entrance is on the ground floor and the scan room is also on the ground floor making it accessible. The Hale clinic is on the first floor but there is a stairlift for wheelchairs, buggies & prams along with an accessible WC. If you require use of the stairlift please let us know just prior to your appointment.

Why is a deposit necessary when I book?

All appointments require a NON-REFUNDABLE deposit payable on booking. We require a deposit, which is deducted from the total price with the balance payable in clinic on the day of your appointment, to minimise missed appointments.

Our clinics become very busy and each slot taken means we cannot fit someone else in.

Can I change my appointment?

Our booking system sends you confirmation and reminders by text and email each with a link that allows you to change the time and date of your appointment to any available slot - subject to having enough notice (typically 48 hours); if you need to change clinic locations or change the scan type, you will need to contact us. Your deposit will still be valid by changing locations or scan types. You can cancel any appointment with no notice via the same link. If you need to cancel with more than 48 hours notice we may allow you to use the same deposit for the new appointment. If you cancel your appointment, the system will NOT refund your deposit or any other payments made because deposits are non-refundable. 

What happens if I miss my appointment or I am late?

We advise everyone to arrive early and to plan ahead to take into account traffic, public transport and other issues that could cause a delay in your arrival. Please note if you cancel or miss your appointment, you will need to pay a new deposit to book a new appointment. If you arrive late, even if you have called or messaged us in advance, it may not be possible for your appointment to go ahead, or your appointment may be shortened; if we can fit you in you may have to wait for the sonographer to fit you in amongst other appointments. We cannot guarantee how long it will take for you to be seen.

Can I change the package?

If you have booked a gender or 5D package, you can change your mind at any point even on the day of the scan. The exception to this is changes to the bronze 5D package which is a shorter slot so at least 48 hours notice would be required for this - upgraded changes FROM the bronze may be available but could be limited by the time available. Changes to items or elements included in packages are not possible other than extra scan prints may be offered instead of the confetti cannon included in the silver scan. No discounts, refunds or credit will be given for items included in any package but not required or taken.