Your pregnancy journey: find the right scan
Confirm your pregnancy and hear your baby's heartbeat for the very first time.
Accurate due date calculation and optional nuchal translucency screening for Down's syndrome.
Find out if it's a boy or a girl, with high-quality keepsake photos to share.
Detailed structural survey of all major organs, limbs, spine and heart, with more time than the NHS equivalent.
HD Live 4D: watch your baby yawn, stretch and move in real time. A moment you will never forget.
Check your baby's size, estimated weight, position and amniotic fluid levels in the third trimester.
Confirm your baby is head-down before your due date. Essential if your midwife has any uncertainty.
Private appointments run 20–45 minutes. Your sonographer takes time to answer every question.
NHS scans are diagnostic only. Private 4D packages let you watch your baby move in real time.
High-quality printed and digital photos in every package. 4D packages add a video clip.
Every ScanBook partner centre is inspected and approved by the Care Quality Commission.
“Private baby scans offer expectant parents something the NHS timetable rarely can: time, detail, and the chance to truly bond with their baby before birth. Every scan type on ScanBook has been clinically reviewed to ensure it follows safe practice guidelines and delivers genuine diagnostic value.”
Is a private baby scan safe?
Yes. Baby scans use diagnostic ultrasound (sound waves, not radiation). The same technology has been used safely in obstetrics for over 50 years. All ScanBook partner centres use HCPC-registered obstetric sonographers who follow professional guidelines on scan duration and exposure levels.
Do I need a GP referral to book?
No. You can book any baby scan directly through ScanBook without seeing a GP or midwife first. Simply choose your scan type, select a centre near you, and book online in minutes.
What's the difference between 2D, 3D and 4D?
2D produces the standard flat grey-scale images used for clinical measurements. 3D creates a rendered surface image showing your baby's features. 4D (also called HD Live) shows 3D imaging in real time; you watch your baby move, yawn, and stretch live on the screen.
Can I bring my partner or family?
Yes, baby scans are designed to be a shared experience. Partners, grandparents and siblings are all welcome at most centres. When booking, check with the specific centre about their guest capacity as this can vary.
When is the best time to book a 4D scan?
The optimal window is 26–30 weeks. Before 26 weeks your baby still has room to hide; after 32 weeks there is less amniotic fluid and baby may be more cramped against the uterine wall, which can affect image quality.
What is included in the scan price?
All packages include the appointment with an accredited obstetric sonographer, digital keepsake images, and a brief written report confirming baby's heartbeat, dates and measurements. 3D/4D packages additionally include a digital video clip of the session.
Book your private baby scan online in minutes. CQC-registered centres across the UK. Same-day appointments often available.
Book a baby scan →No GP referral needed · Secure online booking · Instant confirmation