Your reasons for having an Early Pregnancy Scan are to:
– Rule out ectopic pregnancy and check the pregnancy sac is located within the uterus
– Confirm viability of pregnancy
– Check there is a heartbeat present
– Calculate the gestation of pregnancy (number of weeks)
– Determine whether it is a singleton or multiple pregnancy
– Bleeding/Spotting or any unusual pain
Early Pregnancy Scans are normally performed trans-abdominally (through your tummy) however an internal (vaginal) scan may be required at earlier gestations (6-7 weeks) to obtain clearer images. This can be due to a number of reasons, for example, if your womb tilts backwards (retroverted) or it may be that you are less weeks pregnant than you calculated. We will always try to scan trans-abdominally first but if we need to do an internal scan then this will not be harmful in any way to the baby. We discuss the option of a vaginal scan if needed and only perform if necessary with your consent (no additional cost)
What happens during an ultrasound scan?
Ultrasound scans are safe and do not cause discomfort. Ultrasound gel is used on the abdomen and the ultrasound probe presses on your tummy to obtain images, if you have a very full bladder it may be a little uncomfortable. An ultrasound scan typically takes approximately 5-10 minutes to complete. If the images are unclear you will be offered a trans-vaginal ultrasound scan (internal). During your scan we will explain the findings to you.
Following your scan we will give you your detailed report and you will have the opportunity to ask any questions. Your scan will then be uploaded along with your images onto a USB memory stick to take home on the day.
6 weeks – At this stage the pregnancy is of course small, but having an early pregnancy scan we should be able to see the gestation sac with a yolk sac developing in your uterus. We should be able to see and hear your baby’s heartbeat on scan, which is very reassuring. If we cannot see a heartbeat then this is either due to the pregnancy being too early (this is the commonest reason) or that the pregnancy is found to be not viable. If a heartbeat is seen, the risk for miscarriage at this stage is reduced to approximately 10%.
7 weeks – At this stage we can see a fetal heartbeat and the early separation of the embryo from the yolk sac. We look at the heartbeat and measure the Crown Rump Length (CRL), this means the measurements are taken from the top of the baby’s head to its bottom. From this measurement we can work out how many weeks and days pregnant you are (this early measurement is approximate for dating). If a fetal heartbeat is present the risk for miscarriage at this stage is reduced to approximately 5%.
8 weeks – Your risk for having a miscarriage is now only 2% if the heartbeat is present. At this stage often the baby can be seen making small movements (usually past 8 weeks) which are amazing to see.
9-10 weeks – At this stage the baby is now much more recognisable as a developing baby. If the heartbeat is present and the baby measures appropriately for your dates, the risk for having a miscarriage now drops to 1%.