Early Pregnancy Scan Dating (7 – 12 Weeks) €100
A scan in early pregnancy is usually performed in the first trimester between 7 - 12 week's gestation. You may be having a scan for a number of reasons including confirmation of the EDD (estimated date of delivery), to confirm the pregnancy or just for peace of mind. You may have a scan earlier in pregnancy if you are experiencing complications in the pregnancy such as bleeding or if you have a history of miscarriage.
Early Pregnancy Scan - What To Expect
When you arrive at Women’s Health Group you will be met by a member of our administration team If it is your first time with us you will be asked to complete a registration form. You will then be asked to have a seat in our waiting area where you will await your sonographer.
Your sonographer will meet with you and take you to the ultrasound room. Your registration details will be confirmed with by the sonographer before the ultrasound procedure begins.
There are two types of early pregnancy scans; an abdominal scan and a transvaginal scan. An abdominal scan is performed by placing the transducer onto the abdomen of the patient. A lubricating gel is used to facilitate the scan. The process of abdominal scan is non-invasive and painless. You will need to have a full bladder for a first pregnancy scan. Drinking about one pint of water one hour beforehand is normally sufficient to fill the bladder.
A transvaginal ultrasound can detect earlier pregnancies. It is often necessary for the sonographer to perform a transvaginal scan (TVS) in very early pregnancy. A TVS involves the insertion of a probe into the vagina. Transvaginal ultrasound gives a much clearer view. If the sonographer feels it necessary to proceed to a TVS the procedure will be discussed with you and your permission obtained. Like an abdominal ultrasound a TVS is not painful but may be a little uncomfortable.
When the first baby scan is being performed your sonographer will:
check for a fetal heart
calculate the gestational age
determine the estimated date of delivery
look for multiples
will check to exclude an ectopic pregnancy.
The ultrasound is available for you to view on a TV screen which is located on the wall at the end of the ultrasound couch. This allows you to view the images produced by the transducer. At this stage in pregnancy it may not be easy for you to make out what you are seeing on screen but the sonographer will explain what you are looking at.
It is our aim to make your visit with us as relaxing, enjoyable and as stress free as possible. If you have any questions before, during the first pregnancy scan or after your visit please do not hesitate to ask a member of staff and we would be delighted to assist with your query.
This includes photographs and a computer print-out of details obtained.
This early pregnancy scan is performed to:
calculate the gestational age
confirm the presence of the baby’s heartbeat
look for twins or triplets etc
to confirm that the pregnancy is in the uterus
A full bladder is required for this scan. Sometimes it will be necessary to carry out an internal ultrasound examination.
On occasions it is possible that you will receive a report that cannot confirm how the pregnancy is progressing. This is normally due to the fact that it is simply too early to see the pregnancy or the pregnancy is not growing as it should. If, at your appointment it is not possible to confirm whether your pregnancy is ongoing or not we will recommend that you have a repeat scan in 1 - 2 weeks.