Member Article

Spire Washington Hospital launches 4d scanning service

Pregnancy is one of the most amazing times of a woman’s life – but it can also be one of the most nerve-wracking. Wondering how your baby is developing and who she / he will look like is part of the excitement – but with that in mind, forty weeks can seem like a very long wait.

The good news is that patients now have the option to take a closer look at their little girl or boy, from the foetal stage to 32 weeks, following the launch of Spire Washington Hospital’s new 4D scanning service. To cater for our pregnant patients, we have invested in the very latest scanning technology so that you can see your little one in the greatest detail possible within a private and comfortable environment. What’s more, our experienced sonographers are there to answer any questions you may have, while you and your partner say ‘hello baby!’

As we all know however, baby scans are not just a way for parents to bond with their child before birth but are also an invaluable resource in detecting high-risk pregnancies, diagnosing any issues and anticipating foetal distress in the third trimester. What’s more, they provide more effective follow up of multiple pregnancies, which require careful monitoring. As such, our highly qualified sonographers are able to refer patients to some of the region’s foremost obstetrics and gynaecology specialists, should further support be required at any time.

In terms of the scans, you may be wondering where the 4D element comes in and what the difference is to the average 2D scan. Well, while 2D images give clear, black and white images of your baby and all the vital information to reassure that all is well, 4D scanning uses 3D colour imagery to build up a real-time, moving picture of your little girl or boy in the womb. It is possible to see foetal limb mobility and arm and feet movements and in the later stages of pregnancy, lifelike pictures and videos of his / her face can be secured – if he / she is in the right position, that is! Often parents get to see their baby yawn, suck their thumbs and smile. These are precious moments that can be captured on film to treasure forever.

Laurie Robinson from Hebburn experienced a 4D scan at Spire Washington Hospital and this is what she had to say: “I’m pregnant with my first baby, a little girl and went for a scan at 29 weeks. It was so touching to see her face and be reassured that she has been developing well since the 20 week scan, which feels such a long time ago.

“At Spire Washington Hospital the scanning environment was safe and comfortable, there was no discomfort at all during the scan itself and the whole experience was very personal. I’d recommend the service to anyone wanting peace of mind about their pregnancy and some rather special moments with their baby before birth.”

Ultimately our 4D scanning service is there to help us provide the very best care to our pregnant patients and to ensure you are fully informed about how your pregnancy is developing. All those who attend are given a package to take away which includes scan images and a DVD so your baby’s development can be shared with family and friends too. It’s a great way to bridge the gap before meeting your precious one and enjoy the anticipation that comes with the wait.

Our new 4D scanning service is available via a number of fixed price options and is not as expensive as you might think. There is no doctor’s referral required so for more information, please visit www.spirewashingtonhospital.com or call 0191 418 8687. We look forward to seeing you soon.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Silvie Adams .