If you have any questions about early pregnancy scans at King’s, you can contact our Fetal Medicine Department directly. Whatsapp us on +971 56 957 3787
The viability of the pregnancy, number of fetuses, and the expected delivery date can be checked by doing an early pregnancy scan. The best possible information and resolution is obtained if the test is done transvaginally. Clearer images are obtained if we are able to use a much higher resolution transducer by getting close to the fetus. To obtain the best possible images of the fetus, the doctor or sonographer will introduce and position the transducer in the best possible manner. These are universal standard practices and will not harm you or the baby. No bladder filling or other preparations are required for the purpose. You will be informed and assured by the staff about what is being seen. If the test goes well, you will be given some images to take home.
If you are late on your period, an early pregnancy test will be performed to question the date of the menstrual cycle. Fetuses are of the same size at this time of gestation so the expected date of delivery can be identified. The viability of the pregnancy can be confirmed as the heart of the fetus can be seen in six to seven weeks from this date.
Early singleton pregnancy scan at 8 weeks
Early twin pregnancy scan at 8 weeks
Early pregnancy scans are performed routinely in IVF pregnancies for determining the number of fetuses and viability. For checking previous miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, or for checking if the patient has been bleeding after pregnancy are some other reasons to perform an early pregnancy scan. A mass can be seen in half of the ectopic pregnancies while the other half of the ectopic pregnancies show no fetal pole in the uterus but the blood test indicates six week pregnancy.
Only the gestation sac is visible in week five of the pregnancy. After this a yolk sac is visible then the fetus. To see the heartbeat of the fetus, its size must be at least 2mm. We find it ideal to perform the scan after 6.5 weeks. Only the gestation sac is only visible at the end of five weeks. In these cases, we redo the tests in a few days to assure you that the fetus is developing.
Viability Scan at 5 weeks
Viability Scan at 8 weeks
Dating scan at 11 to 12 weeks
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