Frequently Asked Questions

Little Stars 4D Scan is a CQC-registered clinic with locations in Nottingham and Sheffield, with our brand-new Stoke-on-Trent clinic opening this April.

As a family ourselves, we truly understand how special and emotional these moments are. Whether you’re seeking reassurance, gender confirmation, bonding time, or a magical 4D scan experience, we are here to support you every step of the way.

We pride ourselves on going above and beyond to provide a caring, trusted, and personalised experience for you and your loved ones. Every visit is delivered with dignity, warmth, reassurance, and the highest level of care. Our advanced scanning services combine accurate results, state-of-the-art technology, and a welcoming environment you can feel confident in.

Your journey, our commitment.

Explore our carefully curated scan packages online or speak to our friendly team today.

📍 Nottingham Clinic: 0115 822 5200
📍 Sheffield Clinic: 0114 698 0527

📍 Stoke Clinic: 01782-498441

We provide a wide range of ultrasound and blood testing services tailored to your needs. Our services include 

• pregnancy scans
• Pelvic and fertility scans
• Comprehensive selection of blood tests.

Preparing for your scan is simple, and we’re here to help make your visit as smooth and comfortable as possible.

Pregnancy Scans

• Up to 26 weeks: Please arrive with a full bladder, as this helps us obtain clearer images.
• After 26 weeks: Please attend with an empty bladder for your comfort.
   

Pelvic & Fertility Scans

• Please arrive with a full bladder, which allows for the best possible imaging.
   

Blood Tests

• Ensure you are well hydrated and have eaten beforehand to help make the process easier and more comfortable.
   

✨ 4D Pregnancy Scan Pro Tip!
Enjoy a small sweet snack before your scan — it can help encourage your baby’s movement and may lead to even more magical images.

If you have any questions before your appointment, our friendly team is always happy to guide you and put your mind at ease.

Ultrasound images can vary from scan to scan, and that’s completely normal. Several factors can influence how clear your images are on the day, including:

• Stage of pregnancy – Earlier scans can be more challenging, as your baby is still very small.
• Baby’s position – If your baby is tucked in, facing away, or hiding their face, some views may be harder to capture.
• Maternal body type – Tissue density and body composition can affect how ultrasound soundwaves travel.
• Amniotic fluid levels – The amount of fluid surrounding your baby plays an important role in image clarity.
• Baby’s movement – An active baby can sometimes make images appear less sharp.
• Timing of your scan – In some cases, waiting a week or two can make a noticeable difference in what can be seen.
   

💛 Reassurance You Can Trust
Our experienced team uses state-of-the-art equipment and advanced techniques to achieve the clearest images possible. If your baby decides not to cooperate on the day, we’ll happily offer a free-of-charge re-scan, so you never feel disappointed or rushed.

Your comfort, confidence, and experience always come first.

Fertility monitoring scan
(also called baseline scan or transvaginal ultrasound – TVS)

This scan is done to:

• Assess ovaries and antral follicle count (AFC)
• Check uterus and endometrium
• Rule out cysts or abnormalities

Endometrial thickness scan

This scan checks:

• Thickness of the endometrium
• Pattern of the lining (trilaminar, etc.)
• Readiness of the uterus for embryo transfer

Yes! Ultrasound is the most reliable method to confirm early pregnancy. It allows us to check that the pregnancy is developing in the correct place, determine if it’s a single or multiple pregnancy, detect a heartbeat, date the pregnancy, and examine the uterus and ovaries.

Early Pregnancy (From 6 weeks)

• A transvaginal ultrasound is usually performed in the early stages. A small probe is gently inserted into the vagina to provide the clearest view of the uterus.
• Around 5 weeks, the gestational sac can usually be seen.
• By 6 weeks, the embryo may be visible, and in some cases, your baby’s heartbeat can be detected.
   

Mid to Late Pregnancy

• As pregnancy progresses, a transabdominal ultrasound (through the abdomen) is used.
• By 8 weeks, you can often see the developing baby, its heartbeat, and features such as the umbilical cord.
   

Our experienced female sonographers will guide you through every step, ensuring you feel informed, comfortable, and supported during your scan.

We provide a friendly and experienced chaperone service for all scans, ensuring you feel supported and comfortable throughout your appointment.

For transvaginal scans, a chaperone is always present to prioritise your wellbeing and provide reassurance.

If you have any questions about the chaperone process or would like one present for your scan, our friendly team is always happy to guide you and answer any concern

Yes — your peace of mind is important to us.

If we’re unable to fulfil the objective of your scan, we will offer a free-of-charge re-scan. This may include situations where we’re unable to determine your baby’s gender or obtain clear 4D images due to baby’s position or movement.

In very early pregnancy (around 6 weeks), it’s completely normal for not everything to be visible yet. This does not automatically indicate a problem. In these cases, we will always offer a complimentary re-scan, allowing time for your pregnancy to progress and clearer images to be obtained.

We never rush your experience and will always do everything we can to ensure you leave feeling reassured, informed, and supported.

No, We don't accept Insurance.

We offer a comprehensive range of blood tests for both men and women. Please see our website for further details or call one of our clinics.   

Little Stars 4D Scan Ltd is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The CQC ensures that health and social care services provide safe, effective, compassionate, and high-quality care. This registration means that we have undergone rigorous testing and screening to ensure all our sonographers and staff are fully qualified, our working practices are safe, and our service quality is exceptional. 

The earliest we can see baby’s heartbeat is around 6 weeks onwards. We don’t listen to baby’s heartbeat until 12 weeks. This is because baby is still very small and delicate. For this reason, we avoid using doppler to listen to the heartbeat before 12 weeks as it uses soundwaves that can create a slight warming effect. This is a precaution to keep baby as safe as possible while they are still developing.  

The Earliest we can Listen to fetal heart beat is after 12 Weeks of gestation.

Yes. At Little Stars 4D Scan, all scans are carried out by fully trained and highly experienced sonographers.

For your comfort and peace of mind, all of our sonographers are female, and are committed to providing a professional, respectful, and reassuring experience at every appointment.

Your care, dignity, and confidence are always our priority.

We prioritise you and your baby's health. During each scan, we check the heartbeat and perform a comprehensive well-being assessment to ensure your baby is healthy. Our qualified sonographer will share any observations with you and, if they identify any concerns, we will determine the best course of action, which may include a hospital referral for further evaluation.  

Rest assured, at Little Stars 4D Scan, your well-being and your baby’s health are always our top priority.  

Our qualified sonographers will carefully check your baby's heartbeat and overall well-being during each scan. They will share any observations with you and, if they identify any concerns, may recommend a hospital referral for further evaluation.

Your baby's health and your peace of mind are our top priorities.

You are not allowed to book a gender scan twice as per company policy. All other scans are available to rebook multiple times. It is only the gender scan option that is available once.  

Yes! There is no evidence that 2D or 4D ultrasound scans are unsafe when performed by trained professionals. The dose and exposure time are kept to a minimum to ensure your safety and your baby’s wellbeing.

Here’s why 4D scans are considered safe:

• Proven Technology: 4D scans use ultrasound technology (sound waves) — the same technology as standard 2D and 3D scans, which has been safely used for decades. Ultrasound uses sound waves, not radiation, making it safe throughout pregnancy.
• Regulated Use: All ultrasound equipment and procedures are regulated by health authorities, including the CQC in the UK, ensuring the highest safety standards.
• Medical Supervision: Our fully trained sonographers use the equipment correctly and interpret results accurately, ensuring scans are both safe and effective.
• Diagnostic Benefits: 4D scans provide detailed images, helping assess your baby’s development and detect potential issues early.
• Controlled Duration & Frequency: Scans are kept to the necessary time and frequency recommended by medical guidelines, minimizing exposure while giving you the best possible information.
   

Your safety and your baby’s wellbeing are always our top priority.

The main difference between 2D and 4D scans is the level of detail and how the images are viewed. Here’s a simple breakdown:

2D Scan

• Dimensions: Two-dimensional (flat) images.
• Image Type: Black and white, showing a single plane of the scanned area.
• Detail Level: Useful for examining structures, measurements, and your baby’s growth and position.
• Usage: Standard prenatal scan for checking development, and widely used in other medical assessments.
• Technology: Uses sound waves; echoes are converted into a static image.
   

4D Scan

• Dimensions: Four-dimensional, with the fourth dimension being time.
• Image Type: Real-time, moving 3D images.
• Detail Level: Shows dynamic movements, such as yawning, stretching, or facial expressions.
• Usage: Primarily used in prenatal care for a detailed view of your baby’s movements and behaviour. Also useful for detailed examinations in other medical settings.
• Technology: Advanced software continuously compiles 3D images, creating a live video effect.
   

Summary:

• 2D Scans: Static, flat images — ideal for basic growth checks and routine assessments.
• 4D Scans: Live, moving images — perfect for seeing your baby in action and capturing precious moments.
   

Both scans are safe, effective, and complementary, each providing valuable information depending on what’s needed for your care.

Yes, we do. NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Test) is a blood test that checks for certain conditions in your baby, such as Down’s syndrome, Edward’s syndrome and Patau’s syndrome. We can perform these tests from 10 weeks of pregnancy. This involves taking a small sample of blood from the mother. It is safe for both you and your baby, because it does not involve any invasive procedures, such as CVS or amniocentesis.  

The NIPT tests we offer are:  

• NIPT & Reassurance Scan - Available from 10 weeks, this simple NIPT Test screening identifies the probable presence of conditions such as Down’s, Edwards’ and Patau’s Syndromes. 
• NIPT with Sex Anomaly & Reassurance Scan - Available from 10 weeks, this simple NIPT Test screening identifies the probable presence of conditions such as Down’s, Edwards’ and Patau’s Syndromes. Sex chromosomal anomalies included.  
• NIPT with Sex Anomaly & 6 Micro Deletion & Reassurance Scan - NIPT with 6 Micro-deletions screening identifies the probable presence of conditions such as Down’s, Edwards’ and Patau’s Syndromes. Additionally, it screens for 6 micro-deletion syndromes. Additional sex chromosomal anomalies included.  
• NIPT with 92 Micro-Deletion & Reassurance Scan - NIPT with 92 Micro-deletions screening identifies the probable presence of conditions such as Down’s, Edwards’ and Patau’s Syndromes. Additionally, it screens for 92 micro-deletion syndromes. Additional sex chromosomal anomalies included. 

We provide a range of pelvic and fertility scans, including the following:  

• Well Woman Pelvic Scan – Initial assessment of the uterus, endometrium (womb lining), ovaries and pelvic area 
• Pelvic Fertility – Monitoring Scan – Designed for those undergoing fertility treatment (IVF). Assesses the uterus, endometrium (womb lining) and ovaries. Includes an Antral Follicle Count (AFC). Day 2-5 of cycle.  
• Follicle Tracking and Endometrium Scan – Assesses the endometrium (womb lining) and ovaries. Includes Dominant Follicle Count. Day 12-14 of cycle.  
• Follicle Tracking and Endometrium 3 Scan Package – Assesses the endometrium (womb lining) and ovaries. Includes Dominant Follicle Count. Days 12-14, day 16, and day 18 of cycle.  
• Fertility – Endometrial Thickness Scan – Designed for those undergoing or about to undergo fertility treatment (IVF). Usually prior to embryo transfer.  
• IUCD Positioning Scan – Commonly used to detect the presence/position of an intrauterine contraception device (IUD or coil)