What is an Early Pregnancy Scan?

Discovering you're pregnant is a momentous occasion, filled with a mix of joy, anticipation, and perhaps a little bit of anxiety. An early pregnancy scan provides a wonderful opportunity to confirm your pregnancy, see your tiny baby for the first time, and gain valuable information about their development. 

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the different types of early pregnancy scans, why they're performed, and what you can expect during this special milestone.

When you look at the list of scans during pregnancy, an early pregnancy scan is probably the first one you’ll have. It is an ultrasound examination performed during the first trimester of pregnancy, typically between 6 and 14 weeks. This non-invasive procedure uses sound waves to create images of your baby in the womb, allowing healthcare professionals to assess various aspects of your pregnancy.

Early pregnancy scans are categorised into following types, each with a specific purpose:

• Viability Scan: Performed around 6-8 weeks, this scan confirms the presence of a viable pregnancy, checks for a fetal heartbeat, and rules out an ectopic pregnancy (where the pregnancy develops outside the uterus).
• Dating Scan: Typically done between 8 and 14 weeks, this scan accurately determines the gestational age of your baby and estimates your due date.

Early pregnancy scans offer numerous benefits, including:

• Confirming Pregnancy: The scan provides visual confirmation of a pregnancy and checks the location of the gestational sac (the fluid-filled sac surrounding the embryo).
• Checking for Viability: The scan confirms the presence of a fetal heartbeat, a key indicator of a viable pregnancy.
• Dating the Pregnancy: Accurately dating the pregnancy is crucial for monitoring fetal development and planning prenatal care.
• Detecting Multiple Pregnancies: The scan can identify if you're carrying twins, triplets, or more.
• Ruling Out Ectopic Pregnancy: An ectopic pregnancy is a serious condition that requires prompt medical attention. An early scan can identify this complication even if there are no signs and symptoms of ectopic pregnancy.
• Assessing for Miscarriage: In cases of vaginal bleeding or other concerning symptoms, an early scan can help assess the health of the pregnancy and identify any potential miscarriage.
• Providing Reassurance: For many expectant parents, seeing their baby's heartbeat and early development provides immense reassurance and excitement.

An early pregnancy scan can be performed in two ways:

• Transabdominal Scan: The sonographer applies a special gel to your abdomen and moves a handheld device (transducer) over your belly to capture images.
• Transvaginal Scan: This involves inserting a small probe into the vagina to obtain clearer images, especially in early pregnancy.

The type of scan will depend on the stage of your pregnancy and the specific reason for the scan. Your healthcare provider will discuss the best option for you.

During the scan, you'll lie down on an examination table. The sonographer will apply gel to your abdomen or insert a probe if a transvaginal scan is required. They will then move the transducer or probe to capture images of your baby on a monitor. 

You'll be able to see your baby's tiny form, perhaps even their heartbeat, which can be a truly magical experience. The sonographer will take measurements and assess various aspects of your pregnancy, explaining the findings as they go.

An early pregnancy scan offers a fascinating glimpse into your baby's early development. What you see will depend on the type of scan and how far along you are in your pregnancy. Here's a breakdown of the common findings:

Around 6-8 weeks (Viability Scan):

• Gestational Sac: This is the first thing the sonographer will look for. It's a fluid-filled sac within your uterus that houses the developing embryo. It will appear as a dark, round or oval shape on the ultrasound screen. 
  • Shape and Size: The sonographer will check that the gestational sac is developing normally and measure its size to estimate your pregnancy stage.
• Yolk Sac: Inside the gestational sac, you might see a smaller circle, which is the yolk sac. This provides essential nutrients to the embryo before the placenta is fully formed.
• Embryo: At this stage, your baby is very tiny, often resembling a small bean or tadpole shape. You might see it nestled within the gestational sac. 
  • Fetal Pole: Sometimes, the embryo is referred to as the "fetal pole" at this early stage.
• Fetal Heartbeat: One of the most exciting moments is seeing the flicker of your baby's heartbeat! This is usually visible from around 6 weeks and confirms that the pregnancy is progressing.

Around 8-14 weeks (Dating Scan):

• More Defined Embryo: Your baby will be bigger and more developed, with the beginnings of arms and legs becoming visible. 
  • Crown-Rump Length (CRL): The sonographer will measure the length of your baby from head to bottom (CRL) to accurately determine your pregnancy stage and estimate your due date.
• More Active Movements: You might see your baby moving around, although these movements are often subtle and jerky at this stage.

In most cases, there's no special preparation needed for an early pregnancy scan. However, your healthcare provider may advise you to:

• Have a full bladder: For transabdominal scans in early pregnancy, a full bladder can help improve the clarity of the images.
• Wear comfortable clothing: Choose loose-fitting outfits that allow easy access to your abdomen.

Unfortunately, miscarriage is a common occurrence in early pregnancy. An early pregnancy scan can help assess the health of the pregnancy and identify any potential signs of miscarriage, such as:

• Absence of a fetal heartbeat: If no heartbeat is detected after a certain gestational age, it may indicate a miscarriage.
• Abnormal gestational sac: An irregularly shaped or small gestational sac can also be a sign of miscarriage.
• Blighted ovum: This occurs when a fertilized egg implants in the uterus but doesn't develop into an embryo.

If the scan reveals a miscarriage, your healthcare provider will discuss the next steps with you, which may involve medication or a minor surgical procedure to remove the pregnancy tissue.

An early pregnancy scan is a significant milestone in your pregnancy journey, offering a first glimpse of your developing baby and providing crucial information about their health and well-being. While it can be a source of excitement and reassurance, it's important to be aware that early pregnancy can also be a time of uncertainty. 

If you have any concerns or experience any symptoms like bleeding or pain, don't hesitate to contact your healthcare provider. They can offer support and guidance throughout your pregnancy journey.

Is an early pregnancy scan painful? 

No, an early pregnancy scan is generally not painful. You may feel some pressure during a transvaginal scan, but it should not be uncomfortable.

How accurate is the due date given by an early pregnancy scan? 

Dating scans are very accurate in early pregnancy, usually within 3-5 days.

Can an early pregnancy scan harm my baby? 

No, early pregnancy scans use ultrasound technology, which is considered safe for both mother and baby.

What if the scan doesn't show a heartbeat? 

If a heartbeat isn't detected, it may be too early in the pregnancy, or it could indicate a miscarriage. Your healthcare provider will discuss the findings and recommend appropriate next steps.

Can I find out the gender of my baby during an early pregnancy scan? 

It's usually too early to determine the sex of the baby during an early pregnancy scan.

When will I have my next scan? 

Your healthcare provider will schedule your next scan based on your individual needs and the findings of the early pregnancy scan. This is often the anomaly scan around 20 weeks.

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