Ultra Sound Care, by Marina Fogle

When I first got pregnant, I thought there were two options; either giving birth privately if you can afford the £10,000 upwards price tag, or on the NHS. I’ve since discovered that there are a variety of in between options that give you degrees of optimum care but don’t necessarily carry the price tag associated with a totally private birth.

One of these is opting to have your scans done privately. My great friend and pregnancy role model, Beverley Turner (who is married to my husband’s partner in crime James Cracknell) told me about the Fetal Medicine Centre. It’s run by Professor Nicolaides, who is a true pioneer when it comes to fetal medicine. He is responsible for developing studies that have enabled sonographers to diagnose spina biffida, downs syndrome and other fetal abnormalities, and is one of the few who carries out fetal surgery. He’s the best in the world and is responsible for the advanced diagnostics and pre-natal care that is used all over the world today. And he’s in London!

If you’re going to have an ultrasound, the fetal medicine centre is not just the best place in London or the UK, it’s the best in the world. The NHS say that unless you have complications, you only really require 2 scans, one at 12 weeks and another at around 20 weeks. If you decide to do these at the Fetal Medicine Centre, the 12 week scan will cost you £150 and the 20 week £200. It’s not a huge price when compared to a night at the Portland and for that it gives you the best care you could possibly get.

My doctor sister told me that a scan is only as good as the person who is scanning you. Professor Nicholaides trains all his sonographers and if there’s a problem, it will be referred to him. And on a more practical note, you can also book an appointment at a specific time which suits both of you. Obviously each person is different, but I felt that £350 was a reasonable price to pay to know that I was getting the best pre-natal scan around. The best thing is that all the profits from the Fetal Medicine Centre to go Nicolaides’ Fetal Medicine Foundation whose groundbreaking research will continue to improve the health of pregnant women and their babies all over the world through research and training in fetal medicine. Blinking brilliant. Writing this brings a tear to my eyes…but then I am hormonal.