From Bakers Yard Door to Keepsake in Hand
How the appointment runs at our Gosforth clinic: what to wear, when to drink, who to bring, and what's waiting on the screen when you settle on the bed.
Four Things to Sort Before You Set Off
Small bits of prep that make a noticeable difference once you're on the bed. None of them are complicated; they just help us give you the best images we can.
Bring Your Hospital Notes
Maternity notes, midwife letters, GP correspondence: anything that gives us context on your pregnancy. Helpful, not essential, but it sharpens what we can tell you on the day.
A Litre of Water, Sixty Minutes Before
For early pregnancy and well-being scans (up to roughly 20 weeks), a full bladder lifts the womb into a better viewing window. One litre, an hour before, and please don't empty before the scan.
Two-Piece Outfits Win Every Time
Top and bottom separates beat dresses and jumpsuits. We only need access to the bump; comfortable trousers or leggings with a top you can lift work best.
Pencil in Fifteen Minutes Early
Arriving fifteen minutes ahead gives you time to sign the consent form, use the loo (yes, even with the full bladder), and let your guests settle in before we get going.
The Appointment, Step by Step
From the moment you push open the door at Unit 13 to the moment you're emailing scan photos to the grandparents-to-be: here's how the visit unfolds.
Check In at Reception
Pull up at Bakers Yard, head to ground-floor Unit 13, and our reception team will sign you in. There's a short consent form to read and sign; UK law requires it before any scan, and it covers what we can do with your images and notes.
Settle in With Your Guests
Up to nine people can come along: partners, grandparents-to-be, older siblings, the lot. The waiting area is calm and quiet; we keep slots spaced so you're never sharing it with another family.
Into the Scan Room
You'll recline on the bed. A small amount of warm gel goes on the bump, and the sonographer guides the GE Voluson probe across to find the right viewing angle. Your guests sit in proper seating, not perched against a wall.
Live on the Big Screen
The two 46-inch LED TVs and the projector wall mean everyone in the room sees what the sonographer sees, in real time. We'll talk you through what's appearing, chambers of the heart, the spine, the spread of fingers, and answer questions as we go. With 4D HD Live, the soft-tissue rendering is where things get genuinely magical.
Photos, Reports, Going Home
Printed photos in hand on the way out, digital images emailed to you within 24 hours, and a written report with your sonographer's registration number on the bottom. It's the part <a href="/reviews">families mention most in our reviews</a>. The whole visit usually clocks in around 30 to 45 minutes door-to-door.
Ten Seats, Two TVs, One Projector Wall
Most private scan clinics squeeze in four or five extra chairs and call that the room. Ours is genuinely the largest on the Newcastle side of the Tyne; up to nine guests can sit comfortably, with proper seating rather than perched against a wall.
The two 46-inch LED TVs are angled so every guest has a clear view, and the projector wall behind the bed turns the whole space into something closer to a 75-inch viewing experience. For a 4D HD Live bonding scan, that scale is what makes the difference between watching a screen and feeling like you're in the room with the baby.
- Up to 9 guests welcome
- Proper seating: not folding chairs
- Two 46-inch LED TVs plus full projector wall
- Calm, unhurried atmosphere on every booking
Questions Families Ask Before Booking
What if my baby is in an awkward position?
Babies wriggle, sleep, or face the wrong way, it's incredibly common. We'll ask you to walk around for a few minutes, sip something cold, or come back later in the appointment. If we still can't get the views we need, you'll get a free re-scan within two weeks (Monday to Friday). No extra cost, no awkward conversation.
Can I bring children to my appointment?
Absolutely. Older siblings often love being part of the moment. With nine guest spaces in the room you've got room for the wider family too. Just bear in mind that very young children sometimes struggle to stay quiet for the full scan, so a second adult on hand to step out with them is sensible.
What if I need to reschedule?
Life happens. As long as you give us at least 24 hours' notice, we'll move your appointment with no fuss and your deposit transfers straight onto the new slot. Inside 24 hours, the 40% deposit becomes non-refundable; that's how we keep the calendar fair to other expecting families.
Do you have parking available?
Yes. Off-street parking right at Bakers Yard, ground-floor access, £1 for up to three hours. The Regent Centre Metro is a short walk away and bus routes from Gosforth High Street and Great North Road both stop close by. Full directions are on our location page.
Is the scan safe for my baby?
Diagnostic ultrasound has been used in pregnancy for more than five decades, and we follow the British Medical Ultrasound Society's ALARA principle (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) on every scan. It's sound waves, not radiation. Safe for you and safe for the baby.
What if you find something concerning?
Our scans are reassurance-focused and non-diagnostic; they don't replace your NHS care. If we notice anything that warrants a second look, we'll tell you carefully and gently, and direct you to your midwife, GP or the NHS pathway for proper investigation. We won't ever leave you wondering.
Built to Welcome Everyone
Whether you're navigating a wheelchair, bringing a support person, or need an interpreter on the day; flag it on the booking form and we'll have everything ready for you.
- Ground-floor entrance with no steps from the car park
- Accessible off-street parking right at Bakers Yard
- Wide scan room with room to manoeuvre a wheelchair
- Birth partners, support people and translators all welcome
- Language interpretation can be arranged with prior notice
- Tell us about any specific access needs at the booking stage
Frequently Asked Questions
Aim to be at our Bakers Yard reception fifteen minutes ahead of the time on your booking confirmation. That window is for the consent form, a quick toilet trip if you're carrying the full bladder, and getting your guests comfortable. Turning up late narrows the scan time we can offer and, if it's a long way late, may mean rebooking entirely.
Yes. And the timing depends on which package you've booked. For early pregnancy scans (up to 14 weeks), one litre of water roughly 60 minutes before the appointment. For gender, well-being and 4D bonding scans (15 weeks-plus), about 30 minutes before is ideal. We'll spell it out in the booking email so there's no second-guessing.
Two-piece separates are far easier than dresses or jumpsuits: leggings or trousers with a top you can lift means we only need access to the bump. Comfortable layers are better than fitted clothing on the day.
Hospital notes if you've got them, your booking confirmation (a screenshot is fine), a charged phone for the digital images we'll email later, and your guests. Up to nine people can sit comfortably in our scan room; two 46-inch LED TVs and a projector wall mean everyone sees what's happening on the screen. No GP referral required either; our self-referral guide walks through the rest of the booking process.
Yes, and many parents do. Older siblings tend to find the live screen mesmerising. The room takes nine guests in proper seating, so there's room for the whole family. A second adult on hand to keep an eye on younger ones is a sensible idea.
Door to door, expect 30 to 45 minutes. The actual probe-on-bump time varies by package: five minutes or so for a quick well-being scan, up to fifteen for the premium Luxury 4D with all the trimmings. Your sonographer will pace it sensibly.
We'll do our best, but back-to-back bookings mean even a small late arrival usually shortens the scan. Very late, and we'll need to rebook; and the 40% deposit may be forfeited under our 24-hour cancellation policy. If you're stuck on the A1 or trying to find Bakers Yard, call 0191 380 0402 and we'll work out what we can do.