Early Insights, Better Outcomes: How Fraiya’s AI is Transforming Pregnancy Scans in the NHS

At 20 weeks pregnant, Ashleigh Louison went in for what should have been a routine mid-pregnancy scan. Instead, it became a critical finding in her son Lennox’s life. 

Thanks to an AI-assisted ultrasound, clinicians detected a congenital heart defect early enough to plan the urgent surgery he would need just days after birth. This prompt solution was made possible by the right combination of technology, expertise, and timing. 

Stories like Ashleigh’s highlight what’s at stake in prenatal care. The 20-week scan is the moment when sonographers check for 11 potential conditions, from spina bifida to heart defects. It’s also one of the most time-pressured appointments for expectant parents. In the NHS, a routine examination is scheduled for 15 minutes, a narrow window to complete checks, capture accurate images, and provide guidance to expectant parents.

Now, a first-of-its-kind NHS study shows how AI can make these scans faster, more consistent, and more patient-focused. Our portfolio company, Fraiya, is at the forefront of this transformation.

Behind the breakthrough

In a landmark trial led by Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, King’s College London, and King’s College Hospital, AI-assisted 20-week scans were shown to be 40% faster than traditional methods without sacrificing accuracy. 

That speed frees sonographers from constant pausing, image saving, and manual measurements. Instead, they can focus on what they are best at: explaining findings, answering questions, and providing reassurance in real time. 

Other key findings from the trial include:

• Improved measurement consistency: The AI-assisted scans captured thousands of data points automatically, reducing variability.
• More time for patient care: With less manual admin during the scan, clinicians could engage directly with parents, discuss areas of concern, and plan next steps without rushing. 

Published in NEJM AI, the study represents the first time AI was tested on real patients for mid-trimester pregnancy scans, and it is already creating profound changes. 

What does it mean for maternal health?

The UK’s maternity services face mounting pressure. In some regions, sonography units operate at capacity, with limited staff and increasing demand. This has also led to extensive delays in scheduling scans, which can further compromise a woman’s pregnancy and health.

With a 14.5% vacancy rate among sonographers, and 29% of the workforce close to reaching retirement age — or even beyond it —  the need for technology that can safely reduce scan times while maintaining quality becomes critical. Such solutions can help alleviate bottlenecks, cut waiting lists, and ensure more women receive timely, accurate information. 

Earlier detection of conditions can also reshape clinical outcomes. For families, that means time to prepare — medically, emotionally, and logistically. For clinicians, it means the ability to get second opinions on a much richer dataset stored in the platform, plan interventions, mobilise surgical teams, and improve post-birth survival rates. 

Fraiya’s approach, which combines AI with existing ultrasound hardware via its FraiyaScan device, cloud-based FraiyaHub platform, and FraiyaDetect peer-review tool, is designed for seamless integration. Hospitals don’t need to replace machines or retrain from scratch. The technology works alongside established workflows, making adoption faster and more cost-effective. 

From research to rollout

Fraiya was spun out of Guy’s and St Thomas’, King’s College London, and King’s College Hospital, backed by the London Institute for Healthcare Engineering. Its mission is to scale AI-powered pregnancy scanning across NHS hospitals to enhance care nationwide and beyond.

Professor Reza Razavi, Fraiya’s CEO and a practising pediatric cardiologist, explains: “It is vital that congenital problems in unborn babies are picked up in pregnancy to help give them the best possible outcomes after birth. Our research shows that combining cutting-edge AI with human expertise can make scans quicker and easier, while maintaining the accuracy and reliability of the scans.”

The trial with 78 pregnant participants and 58 sonographers proved that the technology works in real-world conditions. For Ashleigh, that meant knowing ahead of time what her baby would face, and meeting those challenges with a plan already in place. 

Raw Ventures’ perspective

For Raw Ventures, Fraiya exemplifies the type of innovation that needs institutional early-stage backing: proven clinical validation, clear market need, and measurable social impact not just in the UK but across the world

Backing companies like Fraiya shows that AI already delivers results when applied with precision to fields where human lives are directly affected. By streamlining critical NHS processes and improving the patient experience at moments of high stress, Fraiya delivers value that can be quantified in both efficiency metrics and clinical outcomes.

The road ahead

Fraiya is now working to bring its platform to more NHS hospitals, building on the momentum of the trial. The broader vision is a network where every mid-pregnancy scan benefits from AI-assisted speed and accuracy, freeing clinicians to focus on patients and providing clarity when it is most needed.

Fraiya’s story is proof that innovation and the integration of AI are not about replacing people, but about empowering them so that in the moments that matter most, they can do their best work. At Raw Ventures, we’re proud of being part of this story, which will contribute to better pregnancy outcomes and, at the end of the day, healthier families.