4D Baby Scan in Gateshead
Excited to see your baby in stunning detail? Experience the magic of meeting your little one before birth, watching them move, stretch, and even smile in real time from 24 weeks.
What's included in your 4D Baby Scan
Everything you need for an unforgettable 4D bonding experience
Premium 4D HD Live scan experience
2D wellbeing check included
Real-time view of baby's movement & expressions
Baby's position (presentation) check
Placenta location (where visible)
Audible heartbeat (where visible)
Professional Wellbeing Report
2 A5 + 4 A6 printed scan images
All images provided digitally
Allow around 20 minutes for your appointment
Large projector screen (90-inch projection) + two 46-inch side TVs
Up to 7 guests welcome
A 4D baby scan at Numi Scan Gateshead is a real-time HD Live ultrasound from 24 weeks of pregnancy that lets you see your baby's facial features and movements in stunning lifelike detail. It combines a 2D wellbeing check with extended 4D viewing time on our 90-inch projector screen and two 46-inch side TVs, with up to 7 guests welcome. The scan is £78, takes around 10-15 minutes inside a 20-minute appointment, and you'll leave with 2 A5 + 4 A6 prints, all your images digitally, and a professional wellbeing report. No GP referral is needed and same-day or next-day appointments are usually available.
Book Your 4D Baby Scan
Book Your 4D Baby ScanWhat is a 4D baby scan?
A 4D baby scan adds a fourth dimension, time, to traditional 3D ultrasound, letting you watch your baby move, yawn, stretch and even smile in real time. At Numi Scan Gateshead we use HD Live technology, the latest generation of 4D imaging that produces lifelike images with realistic skin tones and natural lighting effects, far closer to a photograph than the grainy black-and-white 2D images you might be used to from your NHS scans.
During your scan, our experienced and registered sonographer will:
- Show your baby's facial features and expressions in real-time 4D HD Live
- Confirm baby's position (presentation) and movement
- Check placenta location (where visible)
- Confirm an audible heartbeat
You'll watch everything on our 90-inch projector screen and two 46-inch side TVs from a comfortable sofa, and you're welcome to bring up to 7 guests. Appointments are 20 minutes long with around 10-15 minutes of active scan time so you have plenty of opportunity to enjoy the experience. For an even longer scan with the full keepsake package, see our premium Luxury 4D Baby Scan.
When is the best time for a 4D baby scan?
The optimal window for a 4D scan is between 24 and 32 weeks, with the sweet spot around 26-30 weeks. Here's why timing matters:
- 24-26 weeks: Baby has developed enough fat under the skin for clear facial features, and there's still plenty of amniotic fluid for excellent imaging.
- 26-30 weeks (sweet spot): This is when you'll get the most cinematic 4D images. Baby is developed enough to look "newborn" but isn't yet too cramped for movement. See our 28-week milestone guide.
- 30-32 weeks: Still excellent 4D images, though baby is getting larger and may be lower in the pelvis, which can make facial views slightly harder.
- After 32 weeks: Image quality reduces as baby has less space and amniotic fluid. For late-pregnancy growth and position assessment, book a Growth & Presentation Scan instead.
If you'd like an even longer experience and a heartbeat bear keepsake, our premium Luxury 4D Baby Scan offers extended scan time with a comprehensive print package including A3, A4, A5 and A6 photos. Recommended after your 20-week NHS anomaly scan.
Why have a private 4D baby scan?
The NHS doesn't offer 4D ultrasound. NHS scans are diagnostic, focused on checking for medical issues, not bonding. The 12-week dating scan and 20-week anomaly scan are the only routine NHS scans most pregnancies receive, and they're brief 2D scans with no real opportunity to see your baby's face.
A private 4D baby scan at Numi Scan Gateshead gives you:
- A real bonding moment. See your baby's face, watch them move, and hear the heartbeat in a relaxed setting designed around the experience.
- Up to 7 guests welcome: bring partners, parents, siblings or friends to share the moment on our 90-inch projector screen and two 46-inch side TVs.
- Lifelike HD Live imaging: the latest 4D technology with realistic skin tones, far beyond standard 3D.
- Digital images to keep, share, and revisit forever.
- No GP referral, no waiting list. Book direct online for the same day or next available slot.
A 4D scan complements your NHS care. It doesn't replace your NHS dating scan or 20-week anomaly scan, both of which you should still attend. See our private vs NHS ultrasound guide for the full comparison, or read about private ultrasound costs across the UK.
4D Baby Scan — NHS vs Private
NHS scans use 2D ultrasound: clinically focused, comprehensive screenings designed for diagnosis rather than keepsake imagery. For parents who'd like to see their baby's face before birth alongside their NHS pathway, a private 4D baby scan at Numi Scan Gateshead is built around the bonding moment, with HD Live imaging, generous scan time, and Mum + 7 guests welcome. Designed to complement your NHS care, not replace it.
| Aspect | NHS | Numi Scan Gateshead |
|---|---|---|
| 4D HD Live ultrasound | Not offered, NHS uses 2D only | ✓ Yes, HD Live as standard |
| Bonding-focused experience | NHS focuses on clinical diagnosis only | ✓ Yes, designed around the bonding moment |
| Active scan time | 5-10 minutes (clinical) | ✓ 10-15 minutes (relaxed) |
| View on large screen | Small clinical monitor | ✓ 90-inch projector screen and two 46-inch side TVs |
| Real-time facial features | Not visible on 2D | ✓ Yes, lifelike HD Live |
| Printed & digital images | Limited or none | ✓ 2× A5 + 4× A6 prints + all images digitally |
| Up to 7 guests welcome | Limited NHS visitor policy | ✓ Yes, bring partners, parents and siblings |
| GP referral required | N/A, NHS doesn't offer 4D | ✓ No referral needed |
Curious about how private ultrasound works without going through your GP? Read our full guide on private ultrasounds without a referral.
Other scans you might consider
Whether you're looking to upgrade your bonding moment, get a detailed growth check later in pregnancy, or add an ongoing reassurance scan, here are the options most parents pair with a 4D scan.
Premium upgrade Luxury 4D Baby Scan
Our premium 4D experience with extended scan time, comprehensive A3/A4/A5/A6 print package, and a heartbeat bear keepsake recorded with your baby's heartbeat.
Learn more
For peace of mind Growth & Presentation Scan
Comprehensive third-trimester growth check including head, abdomen and femur measurements, baby position, placenta location and audible heartbeat.
Learn more
Ongoing reassurance Wellbeing & Reassurance Baby Scan
A briefer 2D check you can book later in your pregnancy for ongoing reassurance: heartbeat, position, placenta and fluid levels in a 15-minute appointment.
Learn moreFrequently Asked Questions
Book Your 4D Baby Scan
Experience the magic of seeing your baby in stunning HD Live 4D. Our friendly team is ready to welcome you to our Gateshead clinic.
Book 4D Baby Scan