The Early Pregnancy Scan: What to Expect?
An early pregnancy scan, also called a viability scan or dating scan, is typically performed between 6 to 10 weeks of pregnancy.
You get one of your first glimpses of your baby, which helps confirm that everything is progressing well.
If you or your partner are expecting a baby; here’s what you need to know about this important scan.
Why Is the Early Pregnancy Scan Done?
This scan helps in:
- Confirming the pregnancy – Detecting the presence of a gestational sac and fetal heartbeat.
- Determining the gestational age – Estimating how far along the pregnancy is.
- Checking for multiple pregnancies – Identifying if you are expecting twins or more.
- Assessing the baby’s health – Ensuring the baby is growing as expected.
- Checking for ectopic pregnancy – Making sure the pregnancy is inside the uterus.
- Evaluating the uterus and ovaries – Looking for any abnormalities that may affect the pregnancy.
How Is the Scan Performed?
There are two ways an early pregnancy scan can be done:
1. Transabdominal Ultrasound (TAS) – A probe is moved over your belly/ abdomen. Doctor usually performs this scan after 7–8 weeks when the pregnancy is more visible.
2. Transvaginal Ultrasound (TVS) – Doctor gently inserts a thin probe into the vagina to obtain a clearer image; especially in early weeks when the pregnancy is too small to be seen clearly through the abdomen.
TVS provides better resolution, helping detect the fetal heartbeat earlier and preventing anxiety when TAS cannot clearly show the pregnancy.
Which one is better ?
If the pregnancy is less than 7 weeks, a TVS scan gives more accurate results.
After 8 weeks, an abdominal scan may be enough.
However, in cases where TAS does not show the fetus or cardiac activity, TVS is recommended to avoid unnecessary worry and provide a more definitive result.
“Trans-vaginal scan is better than Trans-abdominal scan”
What Can You Expect to See?
6 Weeks: A small gestational sac with a tiny fetal pole and possibly a flickering heartbeat.
7 Weeks: A clearer fetal heartbeat, about 120–160 beats per minute.
8–10 Weeks: A developing baby with a head, body, and limb buds visible.
“Hearing the heartbeat for the first time is often an emotional moment for parents!“
How to Prepare for the Scan?
Abdominal scan: Drink 2–3 glasses of water before the scan and avoid urinating. A full bladder helps improve the image clarity.
Vaginal scan: You don’t need special preparation, and the doctor prefers that your bladder is empty.
Clothing Tip: It’s best to wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows easy access to your abdomen. If a transvaginal scan is needed, wearing a skirt or loose pants with a separate top can be more convenient, as it avoids the need to remove an entire outfit. Hospitals usually provide a privacy sheet, but dressing appropriately can help you feel more at ease.
What If You Don’t See a Heartbeat?
No need to panic! If it’s too early (before 6 weeks),You may not yet see the fetal heartbeat.. Your doctor may recommend repeating the scan in one to two weeks.
Final Thoughts
The early pregnancy scan is an exciting and reassuring step in the journey to parenthood.
It confirms that your baby is developing well and helps detect any potential issues early.
If you’re an expectant father, attending this scan can help you feel more connected to the pregnancy and support your partner through this new experience.
Would you like to know more about how to support your partner during pregnancy scans? Let me know! 😊
[…] scan done in the early pregnancy (before 13 weeks); which is used to fix the delivery date is termed as “Dating […]