WE OFFER SPECIALISED OBSTETRIC PACKAGES
OUR PACKAGES
Pregnancy Imaging
Pregnancy Imaging: The CareScan Experience
Pregnancy is an exciting time for expecting families. At CareScan, we understand that it can also be a challenging time. As new parents, you want to make sure your baby has the best care and monitoring during this critical time inside the mother’s body. Ultrasound is an effective way to monitor your baby’s growth. It is safe during pregnancy and does not harm the baby in any way.
At CareScan, our sonographers and radiologists bring years of specialist knowledge and expertise. We work collaboratively with antenatal caregivers such as your GP, antenatal clinic and your midwives. Our aim is to ensure the best care for your unborn baby by arranging regular ultrasound scans to monitor your baby’s development, growth and wellbeing.
Ultrasound Scans
Dating scan: before 10 weeks This is to determine the number of babies, viability and the exact date of delivery.
First Trimester Morphology Scan (12-17 weeks) This is done in conjunction with the NIPT blood test. This is to ensure the baby is developing
Second Trimester Morphology: (19-22 weeks) This is to ensure that the baby has developed normally and all major organs are within normal limits.
3D/4D scans This is a beautiful scan that allows you to have a look at your unborn baby’s face. See your baby yawning, kicking or moving around in realtime! We provide beautiful pictures of your baby’s face on a USB drive complete with short movie clips for you to save as precious memories.
Third-trimester growth scan (after 32 weeks) This scan is to ensure that the baby is growing appropriately and that there are no concerns. This also helps with delivery planning. This is usually requested by the antenatal clinic.
Pregnancy Imaging Packages
Silver
This includes:
- Dating Scan, 19 week Anatomy Scan
- Nuchal translucency assessment at 11-13 weeks (replacing first trimester morphology scan)
- Advanced booking and reminders for all your scans to make sure your scans are on time
- 3D/4D scans of your baby’s face with pictures and movies given to you on a beautiful USB drive
- Third trimester growth and wellbeing scan
Gold
This includes:
- ALL SILVER package inclusions PLUS
- Priority bookings for all scans (same day or next day)
- Urgent reporting for all scans, and liaising with your GP/Specialist
- Gender scan if desired
- As many growth and wellbeing scans as needed, all done on a priority basis
- Optimum ultrasound care from the start to finish, all done by our experienced, caring radiologists and sonographers
Ultrasound examination is a safe and effective imaging method for pregnant women. It provides a clear picture of the unborn child, can determine viability, accurately measure growth, check for abnormalities as well as check for various maternal parameters such as development of the placenta or the amniotic fluid volume. It is able to determine the child’s sex, predict an estimated gestational age and a date of delivery. With the latest generation ultrasound scanners at CareScan, we are able to generate a 4D picture of the facial features of the unborn child in the second trimester.
We go to extreme lengths to ensure that our staff are up to date with the latest information, development, and accepted practices in obstetric imaging. Our doctors bring years of expertise, knowledge, and compassion to tailor an individual care suited to your unique needs.
We understand that this is a sensitive time. Our staff are specifically trained to ensure maximum patient comfort during imaging with a warm friendly approach and prompt service delivery.
There are several examinations available for the pregnant woman:
This is the first study to consider when a woman thinks she might be pregnant. This study is usually ordered once the serum beta HCG result is positive. This is generally a transabdominal examination which allows visualisation of an intrauterine gestational sac. Assessment of the fetal crown-rump length and visualisation of a normal fetal cardiac motion confirms viability of the pregnancy.
However, there are instances when an intrauterine gestation sac may be visible without a fetal pole or fetal heart activity. This can happen on two occasions:
- The pregnancy is at a stage too early (if the gestational sac diameter is less than 25 mm)
Recommendations: Serial beta HCG estimation to ensure that it is rising.
Follow up ultrasound examination in 7-10 days’ time to determine if the gestationar sac is growing and whether a fetal pole is visible. - Early pregnancy fetal demise: If the gestation sac diameter is >25 mm and/or if the crown-rump length of the foetus is >7 mm without a fetal cardiac activity, then it is considered an early pregnancy fetal demise. This is usually accompanied by falling levels of beta hCG.A dating scan also assesses for ectopic pregnancy. When serum hCG is positive but there is no intrauterine gestational sac, an ectopic pregnancy is suspected. The adnexal structures are carefully assessed. Any ovarian or para-ovarian abnormality in these cases is highly suspicious of an ectopic pregnancy until proven otherwise.Follow up recommendations: These cases are usually promptly referred to the local emergency department.
A dating scan also assesses for ectopic pregnancy. When serum hCG is positive but there is no intrauterine gestational sac, an ectopic pregnancy is suspected. The adnexal structures are carefully assessed. Any ovarian or para-ovarian abnormality in these cases is highly suspicious of an ectopic pregnancy until proven otherwise.
Follow up recommendations: These cases are usually promptly referred to the local emergency department.
Nuchal translucency assessment is performed between 11-13 weeks of gestation. The fetal nuchal translucency and presence or absence of nasal bones are assessed at this time, along with maternal serum biochemistry assessment. Maternal age is also taken into consideration. These assessments allow risk stratification for genetic anomaly such as Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), Trisomy 18 and Trisomy 13.
Follow up recommendations: If the nuchal translucency examination is abnormal, referral to a specialist obstetrician is usually necessary. Genetic counselling is also advisable.
Sonographers performing nuchal translucency examination require special accreditation. Not all radiology practices and not every sonographer are accredited to perform this study. At CareScan, our sonographers have obtained all necessary accreditations to perform nuchal translucency scans. They undertake regular education and additional training to ensure that the latest guidelines and recommendations are adhered to at all times.
The morphology assessment is usually performed at 19 weeks of gestation. Foetal vital organ formation is usually complete by 18 weeks. Thus, an imaging assessment at 19 weeks provides an optimum window to determine if there are any major developmental anomaly present in the foetus.
An extensive assessment is performed at this stage. The fetal anatomy is assessed in detail including cerebral structures, cardiac structures, mediastinal blood vessels, abdominal structures including kidneys, bladder, abdominal wall, umbilical arteries, ductus venosus, fetal spinal structures to assess for spinal malformation, fetal extremities to assess for malformations and growth discrepancies.
Maternal parameters are also assessed such as the length and shape of the cervix, the location of the placenta, the volume of amniotic fluid and whether there are any uterine malformations.
Follow up recommendations: In studies where there are fetal malformations present, a referral to a specialist obstetrician is usually necessary along with genetic counselling. Unfortunately, not much can be done to salvage the situation. The mother is usually counselled about the expected outcome.
In case of abnormality in the maternal parameters (such as a low-lying placenta or a short cervix, there is definitive management is available which may allow the pregnancy to progress satisfactorily.
Our radiologists will include specific recommendations in the report, if there is an abnormality present.
At this stage, the pregnancy is well into its maturity phase. Here, fetal growth and well-being is usually assessed along with assessment of maternal parameters to ensure that a smooth vaginal delivery will take place.
A number of fetal biometric parameters are measured, including bi-parietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC), femur length (FL) and estimated fetal birthweight (EFBW). The umbilical artery blood flow is assessed along with assessment of fetal breathing, movement and fetal muscle tone which are indicators of fetal well-being.
A number of maternal parameters are also assessed, including placenta position, amniotic fluid volume with an amniotic fluid index (AFI), cervix and the fetal lie.
Anomalies in this stage of pregnancy include transverse or breech presentation, cervical funnelling or shortening, placenta covering the cervix etc. Signs of fetal distress include abnormal biophysical profile score (abnormal muscle tone, reduced movement or breathing activity over a certain period of time), abnormal fetal Dopplers, reduced fetal birthweight or reduced amniotic fluid volume.
Follow up recommendations: If maternal or fetal abnormalities are detected at this stage, the patient is usually referred to the birthing suite for prompt management and assessment of foetal cardiotocograph (CTG).
Our radiologists and sonographers have undergone extensive training and credentialing in order to safely and competently perform and interpret pregnancy ultrasounds at all stages of the gestation. When an abnormality is detected, it is promptly communicated to the referring physician along with recommendations.
Our radiologists are always happy to discuss individual case with referrers over the phone.
Terms and conditions
- All scans are done by suitably qualified sonographers and interpreted by suitably qualified radiologists regardless of package subscription.
- The scans for the ‘Gold’ package subscribers will be performed, and/or interpreted by sonographers and radiologists with more obstetric imaging experience.
- Priority appointments: we will arrange appointments on a priority basis for suitable package subscribers, however, the Bulk-Billed patients will not be disadvantaged in any way. Medically urgent scans will always be prioritised.
- 3D/4D images: The image quality is dependent on the position of the baby on the day of the scan. We will attempt to obtain good-quality images for up to 30 minutes. If unsuccessful, we may rebook you for a second 30-minute session (on same or another day). However, we cannot be held responsible if the images obtained after two attempts are not to your liking. No refund is payable for unsatisfactory images.
- Refunds: We will refund full amount if a refund request is made 7 days prior to the first appointment. If cancelled within 7 days, or if scans have already been done, no refund will be issued. No partial refund.
- Instalments: The package is payable in full upfront. An option to pay in instalments is not available.
- Instalments: The package is payable in full upfront. An option to pay in instalments is not available.
- All efforts are made to issue your imaging reports on the same day. However, from time to time, there may be delays in the report being issued by the radiologist (for example: if a second opinion is required).