This service combines an early pregnancy reassurance scan with NIPT - the most sensitive, safe, and validated prenatal screening available. It’s a simple blood test taken from the mother’s arm, with no risk to you or your baby.
Unlike traditional NHS screening, which detects around 85% of Down’s syndrome cases and 80% of Edwards’ and Patau’s syndromes, NIPT is over 99% accurate for these conditions. That means fewer false positives and far fewer unnecessary invasive procedures like amniocentesis.
From as early as week 5 of pregnancy, tiny fragments of your baby’s DNA begin circulating in your bloodstream. From week 10, there’s enough fetal DNA present to provide accurate results.
The test includes:
• Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome)
• Trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome)
• Trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome)
You can also choose the advanced version, which includes screening for certain sex chromosome anomalies or an absolute version which in addition covers the 60 most common microdeletions. All versions can report your baby’s gender if you'd like to know. If you're unsure which is right for you, book standard and we can discuss it and change it up at your appointment with no problem at all.
One vial of blood is taken and sent to a specialist laboratory. Results are typically available within 5 working days from receipt of the sample, and you’ll receive a call followed by a full written report via email (unless you tell us otherwise).
All appointments include:
• A reassurance scan
• At least two printed scan images
• Digital images and video, sent to your phone before you leave - no waiting around.
Who it's for
This test is available from 10 weeks onwards, counting from the first day of your last period.
You may have experienced a previous pregnancy affected by a chromosomal anomaly and want greater reassurance this time. Or, you may simply want the most accurate, non-invasive screening available - because peace of mind matters.
This test is suitable for:
Singleton and twin pregnancies
IVF pregnancies
If you're looking for an even more comprehensive option, take a look at the Prenatal Safe Complete Plus NIPT for expanded screening.
What happens
You’ll begin with an early pregnancy (EP) scan, exactly as offered in our standalone service.
All of our sonographers are also fully qualified and experienced in venepuncture (taking blood). In most cases, the sample is taken from your arm, although occasionally it may be from your hand. We always aim to make this as quick and comfortable as possible.
You’ll be asked to decide whether you'd like the standard or advanced version of the NIPT, and if you would like your baby's gender to be reported. You’ll then read and sign a consent form allowing the laboratory to process your sample.
Finally, you’ll receive printed scan images to take home, and digital images and video will be sent straight to your phone before you leave.
Preparation
Let’s set you up for the best possible scan (and the clearest keepsake pictures!). The secret? Hydration.
Start increasing your fluid intake 3–4 days before your appointment and aim for up to 3 litres a day if you can. This helps to hydrate the tissues, which in turn gives us a better chance of capturing clear, detailed images.
On the day:
Eat and drink normally, but don’t overfill your bladder. Empty it before leaving the house, then sip up to 500ml of water as you head to your appointment.
For your blood test:
Being well-hydrated and having eaten beforehand really makes a difference, it helps the blood draw go more smoothly. Keeping warm can also help, especially on colder days.
A note on guests:
Partners, family, or a trusted friend are all welcome. We’re able to screen intimate areas from view if that’s a concern, but do bear in mind that early pregnancy scans can be emotional, and internal scans may be needed. Choose guests you feel completely comfortable with.
We don’t turn anyone away, but we do recommend not bringing children to early pregnancy scans, they can be long, emotional, and not always age-appropriate.
On the day
Eat and drink well, but don’t overfill your bladder. Empty it before leaving home, then sip up to 500ml of water as you head to your scan.
To make the blood test as easy as possible, be sure you’ve eaten beforehand and are well hydrated. Staying warm on the way can also really help with circulation.
If your appointment is between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday:
Head into the Main Reception at Greetwell Place, the lovely team there will let us know you’ve arrived.
If your appointment is outside those hours:
Main reception will be closed, so please follow the road through the car park to the right of the building, go past the 5mph sign, and park near the sandwich board with the ScanLinc sign, that’s our private entrance. There’s no access to the building before your appointment time.
We kindly ask you to wait in your car or at a discreet distance until we call you in, this gives privacy to the person ahead of you. Not everyone is public about their pregnancy, and not every scan brings happy news.
ON THE DAY
Meet Your Team
You won’t see a different face every time you walk through the door.
ScanLinc is run by just three of us - Sam, Hannah and Megan - and between us, you’re always in safe hands.
Megan Evans
Megan is a qualified, HCPC-registered Sonographer who also works within the NHS as an Obstetric Sonographer. That dual perspective means she’s not only clinically brilliant, but always in the loop with evolving NHS practices, bringing the best of both worlds to your care.
Sam Nicholls
Sam is our Clinic Director and Advanced Practitioner Sonographer. With postgraduate training in gynaecology, fertility and early pregnancy, and over two decades of NHS experience, she brings a calm, expert presence to every scan. She’s also our CQC lead and maintains her Midwifery registration, so you can be sure your care is clinically sound, safe and current.
Hannah Sleight
Hannah is our Technical Director and a qualified Sonographer. She has a knack for turning complex tech into calm, seamless experiences, from streamlining operations to keeping us at the cutting edge with the latest imaging innovations (like our 8K scan enhancements). She makes the clinic run like clockwork.