General FAQs

Pregnancy is exciting, but let’s be honest… it can also come with a lot of uncertainty and inconsistency from the internet to one office to the next. Whether you’re hoping to see your baby for the first time, celebrating a milestone, or need a self-pay, provider-ordered diagnostic ultrasound, we’re here to make you feel confident and cared for.

Scroll down or Click Here for Diagnostic FAQs!

  • Baby Haven KC is a medical outpatient imaging center. Services are performed by an RDMS credentialed healthcare professional. While our elective ultrasound experiences are popular and blissful, a large portion of our weeks are dedicated to completing diagnostic ultrasound screenings and pregnancy monitoring for local providers, with radiology interpretations provided by board-certified radiologists. Baby Haven is Kansas City’s local preference for licensed, self-pay pregnancy services.

  • Elective Prenatal Imaging: 2D and HD ultrasound appointments for parents looking to connect with their baby and enjoy pregnancy milestones.

    Provider-Ordered Diagnostic Ultrasounds: Diagnostic prenatal imaging performed with a healthcare provider’s order.

    Prenatal Lab Services: Including SneakPeek® Clinical and self-pay NIPT/genetic testing options. Documentation or superbills are available upon request after completion of NIPT testing services for possible insurance reimbursement, depending on your individual plan benefits.

  • Elective services - NO

    Diagnostic services - YES!

  • Transvaginal ultrasounds are only available for provider-ordered diagnostic exams when clinically indicated.

    Baby Haven does not perform transvaginal ultrasounds for elective appointments. Elective imaging services are performed abdominally, and our experienced sonographer has successfully provided early pregnancy imaging for thousands of families using abdominal ultrasound techniques when appropriate.

    If your healthcare provider has faxed an order for a transvaginal ultrasound, please schedule under Provider-Ordered Ultrasound Services or contact our office to discuss your appointment needs.

  • Elective ultrasounds are available as early as 6 weeks to see your tiny baby and witness strong flutters. Our earliest heartbeat has been captured at 5 weeks 5 days.

    Before 6 weeks, even with vaginal probes, many pregnancies only show a gestational sac and yolk sac as biology is our only limit at Baby Haven. Visit our online gallery for real visual examples of what Sydnee has captured with our machine during different stages of pregnancy.

  • SneakPeek® Clinical blood test detects fetal sex in mom’s blood as soon as 6 weeks, and we do the work for you!

    Ultrasound Gender Confirmation is performed by a trained professional when baby’s genital nub is fully developed at 13+ weeks.

  • No. Baby Haven is an appointment-only prenatal imaging center.

    Online reservations allow us to maintain a private, relaxed environment, keep appointments running on time, and provide every parent and baby with the dedicated attention and care they deserve. Scheduling ahead also allows Baby Haven to prepare for your visit and provide the best possible experience.

  • Baby Haven KC is a self-pay prenatal imaging center and does not bill insurance directly.

    Diagnostic Ultrasounds: For provider-ordered diagnostic ultrasounds, we can provide a diagnostic superbill upon request after your appointment for you to send in. This documentation may be submitted to your insurance company for possible reimbursement, depending on your individual plan.

    Elective Ultrasounds: Elective ultrasounds are self-pay services and are not typically covered by insurance. Because these appointments are self-referred and non-diagnostic, medical reports and superbills are not available.

    If you have questions about coverage or documentation, please contact our office and we will be happy to assist.

  • Online Scheduling is Easy!

    1. Visit www.BabyHavenKC.com

    2. Choose your service

    3. Select an appointment time

    4. Complete required forms

    5. Confirm with payment

    6. Arrive right on time!

  • Every ultrasound is performed by an RDMS credentialed professional with over a decade of medical imaging experience in hospitals, high risk clinics, and prenatal care.

  • No! Please arrive no more than 5 minutes before your reserved appointment time. Baby Haven is owner operated, so the time between appointments is reserved for essential office tasks, provider communication, and necessary breaks. If the door is locked, we’re not quite ready for you yet, so please wait in your vehicle.

  • Yes! Adults 18+ are welcome:

    • Elective Ultrasounds: Mom + 5 adults
    • Diagnostic Ultrasounds: Mom + 2 adults
    • Lab Services: Not Recommended unless an ultrasound was also scheduled. More people increases the risk of contamination. (Our 18+ guest policy applies to lab services)

    Please let guests know restroom use is for clients only. Guests attempting to use the restroom will be asked to wait or leave the office and could miss the appointment. Thank you for helping us keep our day running smoothly.

  • No. Baby Haven is an adult-focused prenatal imaging center, and guests under 18 are not permitted inside the office.

    As Baby Haven has grown, we have intentionally created a private, parent-focused environment where loved ones can be fully present, ask questions, learn about their baby, and enjoy this important moment without distractions.

    Ultrasound appointments require focused attention, thoughtful conversations, and a calm environment so our owner-operator and sonographer can provide every family with the highest level of care and professionalism. We understand childcare arrangements take planning and appreciate your understanding as we maintain this standard for every parent, guest, and employee.

  • Elective Ultrasounds:
    Photos, short video clips, and heartbeat recordings are only allowed with permission from your sonographer. Full appointment recordings, extended videography, or recording staff conversations are not permitted. Guests may be asked to put devices away if recording impacts privacy, comfort, or the appointment experience.

    Diagnostic Ultrasounds:
    Photos, videos, and recordings are not permitted during provider-ordered diagnostic appointments, as these visits require full focus on the clinical exam, patient care, and documentation.

  • Elective Ultrasounds
    • Full ultrasounds include a printed photo strip plus a digital gallery of photos and videos.
    • Quick scans include one printed heartbeat calculation photo.

    Diagnostic Ultrasounds
    • Printed photo strip
    • Digital non-medical photos/videos
    • Report sent to your ordering provider

    Please note: Sound files are not included with digital galleries! Heartbeat sound keepsakes are available through select add-ons, such as our heartbeat plush, or by permission to record audio of the heartbeat sound.

    Wanting more? Add-ons are available for extra photo strips, color HD prints, heartbeat plushes, weight estimates, and more.

  • Preparation depends on the service you’re having, but staying hydrated is recommended for every service!

    General Tips

    1. Follow the instructions in your confirmation email. Your preparation may vary depending on your service.

    2. For HD ultrasounds: Drink plenty of water for 3–5 days before your appointment to help us capture the best-quality images.

    3. For lab tests: Make sure you’re well hydrated on the day of your appointment. If you’re dehydrated, an electrolyte drink may help.

    4. Before 12 weeks: You may need to arrive with a full-ish bladder, depending on your service.

    5. After 12 weeks: Do not arrive with a full bladder.

    6. For diagnostic ultrasounds: We may begin your ultrasound while your bladder is full so we can capture the clearest images. Once we have what we need, we can pause and let you use the restroom.

    Trust Baby Haven’s Process

    Please trust Baby Haven’s preparation instructions and process—not Google or advice from outside facilities.

    We are not just another ultrasound boutique. We are experts in prenatal imaging and lab services, and we take the time needed to get the images we need.

    You do not need to load up on sugar, caffeine, or other tricks before your appointment. Trying to control baby’s movement can sometimes work against you and make it harder to capture clear images.

    We don’t rush you, and we don’t squeeze you in and out. We take our time and use our expertise to get the best images possible.

    Our success speaks for itself. Trust the process. Trust our expertise. Trust Baby Haven.

  • No. We do not recommend eating a large meal or loading up on sugar or caffeine right before your ultrasound. Our goal is to provide a relaxed, patient-focused appointment with enough time for your baby to naturally wake and move, giving us the best opportunity to capture clear images without rushing the process.

    If there’s one thing we wish we could change, it’s the idea that you need to load up on sugar just because baby was sleeping during a quick diagnostic scan. Baby Haven appointments are scheduled with adequate blocks! If baby needs a little encouragement, our sonographer has several techniques available, including repositioning, walking, using a birthing ball, or having a snack or drink during your appointment. Our sonographer will determine if and when any of these techniques are needed.

    Just come hydrated, follow Baby Haven’s recommendations, and trust the experts.

  • Ultrasounds: No. Baby Haven does not offer complimentary repeat appointments or refunds for ultrasounds. Our sonographer uses professional training and clinical judgment to determine when adequate imaging has been obtained. Our gestational age recommendations are designed to give you the best opportunity for successful imaging. We have not needed to offer a repeat ultrasound, anatomy scan, or HD ultrasound due to lack of performance. Babies show off with the right person behind the machine.

    SneakPeek® Clinical: Retesting or refunds are only offered when the initial test is inconclusive, most commonly due to an insufficient sample. Staying well hydrated before your appointment can help reduce the likelihood of an inconclusive result.

    Store Purchases: No refunds or exchanges. All sales are final. Please inspect any purchase prior to leaving the office, as we cannot accommodate returns or exchanges after purchase.

  • Popular timeframes include:

    • 9+ weeks: Early movements and adorable little wiggles
    • 25+ weeks: Developing features, facial details, and full body views
    • 30–34 weeks: Ideal timing for HD facial images
    • Before 37 weeks: Best time for last chance views before baby has less room to move into ideal positions

  • No problem! An anterior placenta is often blamed for difficulty getting good images or completing services, but it’s actually a very common finding and does not prevent our imaging professionals from capturing beautiful images and content for parents.

    Some babies simply love snuggling up close to something warm, and that’s completely normal. We have the experience, time, and techniques to work with baby’s position and capture the images you came to see!

  • No problem! This is very common and is often blamed for poor visualization during the first trimester, but it should not be an issue at Baby Haven. As the uterus grows, the supporting ligaments naturally stretch and adjust, and the uterus often moves into a more typical anatomical position over time.

    If you’re concerned, simply arrive with a full bladder as recommended for early pregnancy ultrasounds. Our sonographers can also adjust positioning and use different techniques to help capture clear images, no matter the obstacle.

  • Ultrasound Appointments:
    — Comfortable clothing
    — Two-piece outfits are recommended for easy belly access, but we have sheets if you choose not to.

    Lab Appointments:
    — Wear a shirt with easy arm access.
    — Long hair? Bring a tie or clip!

  • We ask that you call ahead to make sure someone is available at the front desk, otherwise we may be in a lengthy appointment resulting in a long wait.

  • Elective Ultrasounds: Medical records are not available for elective ultrasound appointments. Because these services are self-requested and non-diagnostic, no medical report is generated.

    Diagnostic Ultrasounds: Medical records are available for provider-ordered diagnostic ultrasounds. Patients or healthcare providers may request records by submitting a signed authorization via email, fax, or by contacting our office directly.

  • We are currently dedicating 100% of our efforts to providing exceptional care for our clients. Student observer opportunities, shadowing opportunities, and future career openings will be posted online as they become available. If you’re interested in joining the Baby Haven team in the future, you’re welcome to send your resume to Hello@BabyHavenKC.com.

    As Sydnee continues to settle into her Shawnee office, she looks forward to building a team of passionate healthcare professionals who share Baby Haven’s values, high standards, and commitment to caring for moms and dads throughout Kansas City.

Diagnostic Imaging FAQs

Choosing where to have your prenatal imaging matters. Baby Haven KC provides complete diagnostic imaging exams with a friendly, expert sonographer, detailed imaging, and smooth outpatient process from receipt of the order to complete radiology report for continuation of care. Providers and their patients can count on us. Fax orders to (913) 543-3014, and patients can conveniently self schedule online.

  • A diagnostic ultrasound at Baby Haven KC is a provider ordered medical examination performed to evaluate a specific clinical question during pregnancy. Our sonographers obtain the images and measurements requested by your provider, and the study is formally interpreted by a radiologist.

  • Yes! Diagnostic imaging requires a valid order from your OB, midwife, or other qualified healthcare provider. The order tells us exactly what examination and clinical indication we are imaging.

  • Your diagnostic examination is performed by an ARDMS-registered sonographer with clinical prenatal imaging experience, including high-risk pregnancy and continuity of care. We do not use students or trainees to perform diagnostic examinations.

    Education, confidence, and medical emergency training directly impacts the quality of every ultrasound performed. Baby Haven KC is committed to having passionate, formally educated sonographers perform every ultrasound for our patients and their healthcare providers.

  • Baby Haven KC performs the ultrasound, and a board certified radiologist provides the formal interpretation. The completed report is sent to your ordering provider.

  • OB Dating / Viability: $225
    OB Limited: $200
    OB Follow-Up / Growth: $225
    Fetal Anatomy: $250
    BPP without NST: $215
    OB Transvaginal: $225
    Umbilical Artery Doppler: $105

    Current pricing is available during scheduling and may change.

  • Diagnostic reports are generally completed within 1–3 business days and sent directly to your ordering provider. Timing can vary depending on the examination.

    If you desire your results be reviewed before your next provider visit, please contact their office directly. Baby Haven KC does not review diagnostic findings with patients.

  • The radiologist documents the finding in the formal report and communicates it through the appropriate clinical process. Your ordering provider determines what the finding means for your pregnancy and what happens next.

  • No! Baby Haven KC is a scheduled outpatient imaging center, not an emergency department. Urgent pregnancy concerns should be directed to your provider or an appropriate emergency facility.

  • Yes. Diagnostic ultrasound appointments allow up to 2 adult guests, age 18+. Children are not permitted in our parent-focused office.

  • No. Recording or filming diagnostic examinations is not permitted. Diagnostic appointments require our sonographer's full attention on the examination, measurements, documentation, and patient care.

  • Yes! A printed strip featuring the best images we capture, in either a large or small size, and a non-medical gallery are provided as appropriate for the examination. The purpose of your appointment is the medical examination, not a keepsake ultrasound session, though we do our best to make every diagnostic evaluation enjoyable for parents.

  • Baby Haven KC is a self-pay prenatal imaging center. Pricing depends on the examination ordered, and current diagnostic pricing is available during scheduling. See Diagnostic FAQ #5.

  • Baby Haven KC does not bill insurance directly or participate as an in-network provider. A superbill is available upon request and may be submitted to your insurance for possible reimbursement.

  • HSA/FSA payment may be accepted depending on your individual plan. Because eligibility varies, we recommend confirming coverage with your plan administrator.

  • No! Please arrive no more than 5 minutes before your reserved appointment time. Baby Haven is owner operated, so the time between appointments is reserved for essential office tasks, provider communication, and necessary breaks. If the door is locked, we’re not quite ready for you yet, so please wait in your vehicle.

  • Bring your smile, photo ID, and provider order if it has not already been sent to us. If we are following up on an ultrasound performed at another facility, please bring or send us the prior report. If available, the accompanying images are also helpful for comparison.

  • Your order must be received before your diagnostic appointment. Providers can fax orders directly to 913-543-3014, or you may bring a copy with you.

  • You can schedule your appointment online, but you must have a valid provider order before the examination can be performed. Your provider determines what diagnostic imaging is medically appropriate.

  • At Baby Haven KC, the distinction is simple:

    Diagnostic = provider ordered medical imaging.
    Elective = self requested imaging for asymptomatic reassurance and keepsake purposes.

    Both are performed by our experienced sonographers, but they are different appointments with different purposes.

  • Diagnostic examinations are performed according to the provider's order. If you have a concern that is not included on the order, we may need an updated order before performing additional diagnostic imaging.

    Each service is provided a gallery and strip of non-medical photos for keepsake purposes. Additional printed photos are available as add-ons, along with heartbeat bears.

  • Yes! We work directly from your provider’s order and can perform specific examinations, follow-ups, measurements, and Doppler studies within our diagnostic scope.

    If you need a service that is not listed, please contact our office. We are happy to review the request with our radiology group before scheduling.

  • Yes! Absolutely, and we love when they do.

    We accept appropriate diagnostic orders from qualified prenatal healthcare providers, including many of our beloved Kansas City and surrounding-area midwives.

  • No! You do not need to have previously had an elective ultrasound with us. If you have a valid provider order for an examination within our scope, you can schedule as a diagnostic patient.

  • If prior imaging is relevant to your examination, we may request previous reports or images for our radiologist’s comparison and reference. Available clinical information helps us ensure the ordered examination is performed appropriately.

  • Yes! Diagnostic reports and imaging can be released to another healthcare provider through our medical records process and appropriate authorization.

  • Your ordering provider is the best person to explain your results and what they mean for your pregnancy. Baby Haven provides the imaging and radiology report; your provider manages your care.