What Is a Wellbeing Scan and When Should You Book One?

The NHS offers two routine pregnancy scans — but pregnancy is nine months long. A lot can change between your 12-week and 20-week appointments, and a great deal more happens in the 20 weeks after that. A wellbeing scan fills those gaps, giving you a detailed, reassuring check on your baby at any stage of your pregnancy.

What Is a Wellbeing Scan?

A wellbeing scan — sometimes called a growth scan or reassurance scan — is a private ultrasound that checks your baby’s overall health and development at any point during pregnancy. Unlike the NHS dating and anomaly scans, which have specific clinical purposes at set gestational ages, a wellbeing scan is flexible. You can book one whenever you feel you need it, whether that is at 16 weeks, 28 weeks, or 38 weeks.

What Does a Wellbeing Scan Check?

During a wellbeing scan your sonographer will assess a range of important factors to give you a comprehensive picture of how your baby is doing:

• Baby’s growth — measurements of the head, abdomen, and femur (thigh bone) are taken to estimate your baby’s weight and check they are growing in line with their gestational age

• Baby’s position — particularly useful in the third trimester to confirm whether your baby is head-down, breech, or transverse ahead of labour

• Baby’s movements — your sonographer will observe your baby’s activity and tone during the scan, checking for normal movement patterns

• Amniotic fluid levels — too little or too much fluid can indicate complications, so checking fluid levels is an important part of any wellbeing assessment

• Placenta position — particularly relevant if a low-lying placenta was noted at your 20-week scan and needs to be rechecked

• Heartbeat — your baby’s heart rate is confirmed, providing immediate reassurance that all is well

When Should I Book a Wellbeing Scan?

A wellbeing scan can be booked at any stage from around 16 weeks onwards. Here are the most common reasons expectant parents in Camberley and Surrey book one:

• Between 16 and 20 weeks — to fill the gap between your NHS dating and anomaly scans and check your baby is growing well

• After 20 weeks — the NHS offers no further routine scans for low-risk pregnancies after 20 weeks, despite the fact that 20 more weeks of growth and change lie ahead

• If you are anxious or something feels different — if movements seem reduced, your bump feels smaller, or you simply need reassurance, a wellbeing scan can provide an immediate check

• In the third trimester — to confirm your baby’s position ahead of labour, check growth, and get final reassurance before your due date

• If you have a high-risk pregnancy — conditions such as gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, or a previous complicated pregnancy may make more frequent monitoring desirable

Is a Wellbeing Scan the Same as a Growth Scan?

The terms are often used interchangeably. A growth scan focuses specifically on measuring your baby’s size and weight to check they are growing appropriately. A wellbeing scan is broader — it includes growth measurements alongside checks of movements, fluid levels, placenta, and heartbeat. At MyBaby Ultrasound our wellbeing scans include all of these checks as standard.

Does a Wellbeing Scan Replace My NHS Care?

No. A private wellbeing scan complements your NHS care — it does not replace it. If anything of concern is identified during your scan, our sonographers will always advise you to contact your NHS midwife or GP promptly. We work alongside your maternity team, not instead of it.

Book a Wellbeing Scan at MyBaby Ultrasound, Camberley

At MyBaby Ultrasound in Camberley, Surrey, our wellbeing scans are performed by experienced, CQC-registered sonographers in a calm and welcoming environment. Appointments are available seven days a week including evenings, with no referral required. Wellbeing scans start from just £70 — book yours today.