What is an early pregnancy scan ?
An early pregnancy scan, often called a dating scan or pregnancy confirmation scan, is usually the first ultrasound scan that is recommended for pregnant mothers. An early pregnancy scan is crucial in order to confirm pregnancy and to estimate the baby’s due date.
Early Pregnancy Scan at Jammi Scans
What is the purpose of the early pregnancy scan?
An early pregnancy scan is crucial to:- Check the viability of the baby: To check for the baby’s heartbeat and overall well-being.
- Check the baby’s position: To check if the baby is attached to the uterus and not outside the uterus.
- Count the number of babies: To check if the mother is carrying a singleton baby, twins, or triplets.
- Check the presence of fetal heart rate: To detect the baby’s heartbeat and confirm if it is normal.
- Estimate the baby’s due date: To predict the baby’s due date based on the CRL measurements.
When is the best time to do an early pregnancy scan?
Ideally, an early pregnancy scan is carried out between 6 to 10 weeks of pregnancy for most pregnant mothers with a regular menstrual cycle. But if you are someone with irregular periods, you can schedule your early pregnancy scan 3 weeks after getting a positive pregnancy test.
How is an early pregnancy scan done?
An early pregnancy scan can be done in two ways: Abdominal scan: A thin layer of lubricating gel is applied to the mother’s abdomen . A small probe or a transducer is placed with slight pressure on the abdomen to get a clear image of the pelvic region. Vaginal scan: A small probe or transducer is covered with a cover or a condom along with lubricating gel. The probe is gently inserted into the vagina to get an image of the pelvic region. A transvaginal scan provides a clearer and more detailed image of the pelvis region when compared to an abdominal scan.Is an early pregnancy scan painful?
Although an early pregnancy scan might cause a little discomfort, it isn’t usually painful.
What does an early pregnancy scan detect?
Ideally, in an early pregnancy scan, the doctor looks for:
Gestational sac: A gestational sac is a fluid-filled sac in the uterus ( that contains the developing embryo. A gestational sac is one of the first visible signs of pregnancy in an ultrasound. It can be seen as early as 4 to 5 weeks of pregnancy.
Yolk sac: A yolk sac is a smaller, round-shaped sac inside the gestational sac that provides nutrients to the growing embryo before the placenta is fully formed.
Fetal pole: A fetal pole is one of the earliest forms of the fetus, and it is usually visible from around 5 to 6 weeks of pregnancy.
Fetal heartbeat: A fetal heartbeat can be detected as early as 6 to 7 weeks of pregnancy. It confirms the viability and development of the fetus. During early pregnancy, the fetal heart rate should be around 90 to 110 bpm (beats per minute) and 110 to 160 bpm in the later stages of pregnancy.
CRL: CRL (Crown-Rump Length) is the measurement taken during a pregnancy ultrasound to measure the fetus from the head to the back in order to calculate its gestational age.
How do you prepare for an early pregnancy scan?
Although there isn’t much preparation needed for an early pregnancy scan, most expectant mothers have certain doubts such as whether or not to eat before going for the scan.
It is perfectly okay to eat before going for the scan, as the scan is done to check the uterus and not your digestive system. In fact, healthcare experts do not recommend fasting before coming for a pregnancy ultrasound.
You can eat and drink as usual before a pregnancy scan. In most cases, it’s not necessary to have a full bladder unless your doctor specifically advises it.
Follow-up
You will be asked to come for a follow-up early pregnancy ultrasound if:
- If the fetal heartbeat is not detected or if the fetal pole is not clearly visible. Typically, this follow-up scan is scheduled at least one week to 10 days later to allow time for further development.
- In rare cases if a molar pregnancy or ectopic pregnancy is suspected, your healthcare professional will explain the situation and guide you through your options to help you make informed decisions.
Conclusion
An early pregnancy scan is a vital part of early prenatal care. It not only confirms the pregnancy but also provides important information about the baby’s development.
Early pregnancy scans help in the detection of abnormalities such as ectopic or molar pregnancies, allowing expectant mothers to make informed decisions at an early stage.
Although most urine pregnancy tests these days are sensitive enough to detect pregnancy, an early pregnancy scan is the one that can confirm it.
Ensure you visit your doctor as soon as you find out that you are pregnant, and make sure not to miss any prenatal ultrasounds or appointments to safeguard the health of your baby.
For appointments and consultations with the best gynecologist in Chennai, Dr. Deepthi Jammi, contact Jammi Scans at 7338771733 for appointments.
Frequently Asked Questions
01. Is the early pregnancy scan safe for the baby?
Yes, an early pregnancy scan is a simple, non-invasive ultrasound scan that uses sound waves to generate clear images of the baby, and it is absolutely safe for both the mother and the baby.
02. When can an early pregnancy scan be done?
You can go for an early pregnancy scan between 6 to 9 weeks of gestation.
03. How early can you have a scan to confirm pregnancy?
Most expectant mothers can have an early pregnancy scan as early as 6 weeks of pregnancy.
