From your first ultrasound scan to the final push, pregnancy is a journey that's filled with excitement, anticipation, and a bit of nervousness - especially as your due date approaches. One of the best ways to prepare for the big day is by packing a hospital bag well in advance.

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Many of the scan providers on Groupon are fairly new companies.

As demand for 4D ultrasound scans increases, we're seeing more and more new people entering the field and offering to provide baby scan experiences at competitive prices. Sadly, the quality of the service provided varies hugely from one company to the next, and it's heartbreaking when expectant parents pay for a private scan and end up with low-grade images that are barely even worth sharing.

Here at First Encounters, we strive to deliver the best possible service to our customers. We firmly believe that we're head and shoulders above most scan providers operating in the UK today - here are 10 reasons why:

1. We conform to the highest industry standards.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates healthcare and - in particular - diagnostic and screening activities in England. Even though we are based in Wales, not England, it is our policy to ensure that our scans conform to the very highest industry standards. So if you visit our ultrasound clinic in Cardiff, you will find that every part of your scan experience reflects the standards enforced by the CQC in England (since the equivalent Welsh body, Health Inspectorate Wales, does not currently regulate diagnostic and screening activities in Wales).

2. We employ licensed sonographers who are qualified and experienced.

All of our sonographers are registered with the Health Professionals Council, the regulator for health professionals throughout the UK. In order to achieve HPC-registered status, one must meet the Council's standards for training, behaviour, health/hygiene, and professional skills. Many of the 4D ultrasound scan packages currently flooding the market are NOT carried out by registered healthcare professionals, which could mean that potential complications with your pregnancy go undetected.

3. We use advanced GE Healthcare equipment with HDlive technology.

Our scans are carried out using GE Voluson E6 ultrasound machines with genuine HDlive technology. GE Healthcare are the #1 manufacturer for the baby scan sector, and their equipment is championed by legitimate scan clinics across the globe.

4. Our equipment is certified safe for purpose.

Every piece of machinery we use to carry out our customers' baby scans is inspected, tested, and certified safe for purpose. Many scan providers, sadly, do not meet this standard, using uncertified and potentially unsafe equipment that puts both mother and baby at risk.

5. We are accomplished in both diagnostic and souvenir imaging.

Our sonographers specialise in diagnostic ultrasound scanning, meaning that they are qualified to carry out your souvenir scan AND assess the health and growth of your unborn child.

6. We provide printed pregnancy reports with every scan.

Everyone who attends a scan at the First Encounters ultrasound clinic also receives a First Encounters pregnancy report. This is a detailed document containing all the information we gather during your scan, such as gestation age, estimated due date, various measurements, and the position of your baby inside the womb.

7. All of our employees are trusted, caring professionals.

We've already described the qualifications and accreditations that our sonographers hold, but just as important is the friendly, caring approach taken by everyone here at First Encounters, from our administrative staff to the sonographers themselves. We do everything we can to make each customer feel totally welcome and completely at ease when they come for their scan.

8. Our scans are carried out in a relaxed, spacious clinic environment.

As mentioned above, we're committed to ensuring that expectant parents feel relaxed and at ease in our clinics. Our clinics are comfortable and modern, with enough space to accommodate everyone who might attend. We also maintain very high standards of hygiene and safety within our clinics.

9. Children, family and friends are always welcome.

Each scanning room has space for up to 6 guests. You are more than welcome to bring anyone you wish, including friends, relatives, and even young children who are eager to say hello to the newest member of the family!

10. We offer a comprehensive and competitive range of scan packages.

Unlike many providers who simply offer a single 'one-size-fits-all' scan package, we have a range of different packages to choose from. The best package for you will depend on the type of images you wish to capture, how far along you are, and the souvenirs you want to take home after the scan. Click here to compare the available options.

Still not convinced? Take a look at our Reviews page, or look at what our customers have been saying about us on Facebook!

But what about 4D scans?

The best time for a 4D ultrasound scan is around 27 weeks gestation. While 4D scans are available from 24 to 32 weeks, we recommend having the scan at 26-29 weeks in case your baby is growing slower or faster than average.

Expectant parents often ask us how long they should wait before coming in for a 4D ultrasound scan. Obviously, if the scan is carried out too early, the foetus will not have developed far enough to give a satisfactory image, but waiting until the final weeks of your pregnancy isn't a very good idea either.

Many people believe that they must wait until at least 30 weeks to book an ultrasound session, but this - if you'll pardon the pun - is a misconception. Here at First Encounters Ultrasound, we offer 4D scans from 24 weeks to 32 weeks; however, we recommend 26-29 weeks as the optimum time for a 4D scan, as this allows us to accommodate babies who are developing at a slower or faster rate than average. It would be a shame if you visited our clinic at the start of your 24th week, only to find that your baby isn't quite ready for the camera yet!

So, to answer your question: the best time to have a 4D baby scan is around 27 weeks. However, this does not mean that a satisfactory image cannot be captured later on; every pregnancy is different, of course, but we are almost always able to achieve great results up to 32 weeks.

Upon request, we can also determine the gender of your baby during your 4D scan, making the experience all the more memorable. Add a gender reveal confetti shooter to your scan package for a truly spectacular gender reveal with friends and family!

Why can't I have a 4D scan after 32 weeks?

As mentioned above, the cut-off point for our 4D scan packages is 32 weeks. You may be wondering why this is the case - surely the image would be even 'better' if we waited until the baby was completely developed?

The reason is quite simple: there's only a limited amount of space in your womb, and our sonographers are able to achieve better results when there's still some room left.

The main aim of a 4D scan is to capture an image of your baby's face, and we can only do that if he or she is facing the camera (probe) when the scan takes place. If, when you arrive at our clinic, your baby is facing your back, he/she will need room to turn around - otherwise, we're stuck looking at the back of baby's head!

As your child grows, they leave less and less room for moving around, which means that the chances of turning become quite slim after the 32-week point. Furthermore, fluid levels reduce as the pregnancy develops, which will further impede the projection of imagery and also your baby's movement within the womb.

Is there any way to encourage movement?

Want to keep your baby moving on the day of your scan? Here are a few suggestions:

• Sugar stimulation is a good way to promote movement in utero. Eating a bar of chocolate and/or having a fizzy drink about 20 minutes before your scan will give your baby a burst of hyperactivity!
  
  
• We recommend having a full bladder when you come in for your 4D scan; if your baby's head is pointed downwards, he or she may decide to play hide-and-seek by burying it in your pelvic area. An inflated bladder helps to prevent this from happening, lifting your baby into a better position for the camera.
  
  
• If you come in for your scan and your baby is feeling camera-shy, we will recommend that you take a brief walk to get things moving in there.

If all else fails and we are unable to get a good picture of your unborn child, we will be more than happy to offer you a complementary re-scan visit on another date.

Click below to browse our scan packages and book your 4D ultrasound session online!

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