| Treatment | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| Early pregnancy (6 weeks+) ultrasound |
Early pregnancy can be a very exciting time and often couples want to see their baby as soon as possible. This scan is available to anyone who wants some reassurance, but particularly for those who are unsure of their dates, have had some bleeding, pelvic pains, concerns, or have felt that their early pregnancy symptoms have disappeared when they should be present.
The purpose of the early pregnancy scan is:
To confirm location of the pregnancy (Is the baby inside the womb?)
To determine fetal viability (Is my baby’s heart beating?)
To measure fetal heart rate (How fast is the baby’s heart beat?)
To provide accurate gestational dating by crown-rump-length (How far along am I?)
To establish an estimated due date (When is my baby due?)
To determine number of fetuses (Could I be having twins?)
To assess the ovaries and uterus to make sure that they are normal (please note that these structures are not always clear on ultrasound)
This scan cannot:
Rule out chromosomal or anatomical abnormalities
Assess the final location of the placental as it is too early
When is the best time to go for an Early Pregnancy Scan?
The heart beat of the embryo can be seen from 6 weeks onward, therefore, the Early Pregnancy Baby Scan can be performed from 6 weeks 0 days – 11 weeks 6 days from the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP). If your menstrual cycle is longer than 28 days it is advisable to wait until you are at least till 8 weeks from your LMP to confirm the viability of the embryo as you may not be as far as your dates suggest.
How do I prepare for an Early Pregnancy Scan?
You are required to have an adequately full bladder for your early pregnancy scan.
What to expect from the early pregnancy scan
During the ultrasound scan the position and shape of the gestational sac is assessed. It is important to see the sac within the uterus as this excludes an ectopic pregnancy. The presence of the embryo or possibly multiple embryos is reviewed. The heart rate is measured to determine viability. A measurement is then taken from the tip of the head to the little bottom, called the crown rump length (CRL). When performed correctly, this measurement is the most accurate way of dating a pregnancy. Many studies show that this form of dating is more accurate than the first day of the last period or measurements taken at detailed anomaly scan which is carried out at around 20 weeks. We also examine the uterus and ovaries for any pathology such as ovarian cysts or fibroids.
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| First Trimester Screening (Blood Test + Nuchal Translucency Scan) |
Blood tests are carried out at 10 weeks pregnant and the scan is performed at 12 weeks. This approach increases detection rates up to 94%. This requires 2 separate visits.
All pregnant women have a small chance of having a baby with a physiological disability or syndrome, such as Down Syndrome.
The First Trimester Pregnancy Scan Screening is a risk assessment test to determine whether your chances of having a baby with Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21), Edward’s Syndrome (Trisomy 18) and Patau Syndrome (Trisomy 13) are high or low.
The components of First Trimester Screening include:
Maternal age Presence or absence of major fetal abnormalities on ultrasound Nuchal Translucency (fluid measurement behind the fetus’ neck)
The level of two proteins in your blood (Free-ß-hCG and PAPP-A)
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| Managing workplace stress |
Delivered on site and tailored to meet the needs of your organisation
For organisations taking active and effective steps to support the positive emotional and psychological health of their employees
An intervention of real enduring change
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| Colonoscopy |
Here you will find more information* about what colonoscopy is and typically, when it is used.
What is Colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy is a procedure that allows the endoscopist to look directly at the lining of the large bowel or (colon). It is performed using a thin tube (colonoscope) with a camera and a light on the tip which is used to look at the area being examined. The procedure is the most accurate way we have of looking at the large bowel (colon) to establish whether any disease is present.
Do you need a Colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy is a procedure that allows the endoscopist to look directly at the lining of the large bowel or (colon). It is performed using a thin tube (colonoscope) with a camera and a light on the tip which is used to look at the area being examined. The procedure is the most accurate way we have of looking at the large bowel (colon) to establish whether any disease is present.
Do I need a referral letter from my GP to get a Colonoscopy?
Typically you WILL need a referral letter from your GP for a colonoscopy.
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| Detailed Anomaly Pregnancy Scan |
This scan is probably the most important diagnostic scan that takes place in a pregnancy.
The fetus is the correct size to have all the organs assessed so that the sonographer can see whether your baby has an obvious defect such as spina bifida or a cleft palate. If you are concerned about chromosomal problems this scan can detect subtle markers that may suggest that your baby is at higher risk for these syndromes. Examples of these markers are thickened skin behind the neck, excess fluid in the kidneys, short arms or legs, bright areas in the heart or abdomen or cysts in the brain.
Most babies are normal so this scan provides reassurance to the majority of patients. It is also important to note that this is a screening test and that positive or negative findings detected during the scan cannot guarantee either outcome.
This scan cannot exclude all abnormalities and syndromes.
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