Frequently Asked Questions
Haven is a women’s ultrasound care specialist service. Specialising in pregnancy, obstetric and gynaecological ultrasound and counselling services; we welcome women into our warm, friendly and supportive environment.
Combining the very best in care, with the latest imaging equipment, at Haven you’ll find a team of women’s health professionals who are committed to providing positive outcomes for all.
Unless you’re coming to our Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic (where no referral is needed), you’ll need to see your GP, specialist or midwife and seek a referral. Once you have this, contact our friendly reception team to discuss your needs and they can advise on next steps to booking an ultrasound or procedure. As a patient of Haven’s, we’ll continue to provide you with exceptional care, whatever your health and scanning needs.
It’s important that you maintain your relationship with your primary healthcare provider, who can provide you with a referral to come and see our team at Haven. A referral is required to claim your Medicare rebate. Once you have a referral (your referral doesn’t have to be for Haven specifically) you can head online and book an appointment or you can call our friendly reception team who will be happy to assist you.
All of our scans are diagnostic examinations with the primary purpose to assess the health of your pregnancy. At Haven, we have the latest in technology and if we can, we’ll always try to capture your baby in 3D/4D imaging. We’ll send the photos directly to your smartphone.
6-10 weeks
7-10 weeks
11-14 weeks
19-21 weeks
24-28 weeks
28 weeks
34-36 weeks
Scans in early pregnancy may demonstrate that the pregnancy is not developing where it should, such as an ectopic pregnancy, or as it should, such as a miscarriage. If you are feeling some concerns like bleeding or pain in early pregnancy and need a scan to assess the health of the pregnancy, you can present to Haven and we can clinically assess your pregnancy.
Following the dating scan, it is clinically important to plan other scans as the pregnancy progresses. Ultrasound is used to assess the developing baby. Most pregnant women will see these scans as an opportunity to see the baby, hear the heartbeat or maybe find out the sex of the baby. However, these scans are also clinically used to detect any features that may mean there is a baby with a structural abnormality, a growth problem or a change in the chromosomal make-up like Down syndrome. We call these scans screening ultrasounds. Scans done in the first trimester at about 13 weeks are used to assess the anatomy, check for features associated with babies that have a change in the chromosomal make-up or increase the chance of pregnancy problems linked the placental function, like growth restriction or a high blood pressure condition called pre-eclampsia. Scans done at 20 weeks are called morphology scans as they assess the structure or anatomy of the baby. Other screening test options are available and these include blood tests, such as Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) which is a powerful molecular test reporting on the chance that the developing baby has a change in the chromosomal make-up.
For serious concerns, please present to your nearest emergency centre.
Ultrasounds use sound waves to be able to see inside your pelvic area. Dependant on the reason for your ultrasound, you will have either an abdominal ultrasound (transducer is placed on your stomach and is non-invasive) or a transvaginal ultrasound (with your permission, a transducer the size of a tampon is covered in a sheath and inserted into your vagina) – sometimes both will be required. There’s not much you need to do to prepare, although a moderately full bladder can help us to see your baby and pelvis better. For scans up to and including the morphology scan, please empty your bladder and drink 2 glasses of fluid, do not empty your bladder again before the scan.
Depending on the type of scan, it can take between 30 and 60 minutes. Particularly with pregnancy scans, the position of the baby can vary how long it takes your sonographer to assess everything they need to. Some babies don’t behave as well as we’d like them to!
Sometimes, there may be times when a problem is identified, which may require longer counselling with one of our Doctors, and potentially further testing. We apologise for any delays, but unfortunately, we aren’t able to predict when these challenges might arise.
At Haven, we know how important it is to nurture not only the women in our lives, but everyone who supports them.
As such, we have developed a suite of pledges, these are our promises to you when you engage with our specialist team.
Medical Excellence is at the heart of all we do
We bring together the latest advancements in technology, a team of advanced Specialists, Sonographers and Midwives with an ongoing commitment to deliver the very latest in women’s health care solutions.
We promise to be curious, to find answers to your questions.
No question is too big, or small and we are here to help.
We pledge to stand beside you no matter where you’re at in your journey
Here at Haven, we make sure you’re supported always. Our experienced team partners with you, providing care, sharing in your life moments, celebrating with you, and supporting you when you need it most.
Your care is our priority
In our Haven clinics you have our word that you will always be treated with respect, kindness and dignity. We honour your experience and celebrate all women, providing a safe haven of nurture and care for you and your loved ones.
We celebrate every small step
Big steps and small ones, we promise to be compassionate, and heart centered in every interaction.
We pledge to speak like humans
Our team commit to acting with integrity, honesty and transparency ensuring you’re informed at every stage of your health journey. We pledge to use real language, removing technical jargon where possible ensuring our words make sense.
We honour our values
We stand for respect, kindness, dignity and support – these are our values and we honour them.