Early pregnancy ultrasound: What is it and how does it go?

An early pregnancy ultrasound, or a first-trimester ultrasound, is an imaging procedure conducted in the first trimester. In many cases, it’s one of the two routine ultrasound screenings you will have through the entire pregnancy, though it’s also possible to have more ultrasounds if it’s needed.

The earliest time when an ultrasound can detect pregnancy is 5 weeks. However, it’s a more common practice to have this scan done between 8-12 weeks, unless there are medical indications for an earlier screening.

Typically, this procedure is done transvaginally before 11 weeks and transabdominally after this time, though there might be a need for an internal probe in certain cases. During the first-trimester ultrasound, your healthcare provider will check for:

• Pregnancy location and viability
• Number of fetuses
• Gestational age and due date
• Fetal growth
• Nuchal Translucency (NT)

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So, all the efforts to conceive and the two-week wait are over, and now you know that you’re pregnant. What’s next?

Even though you’ve already gone a long way, right now, you’re still at the very beginning of your pregnancy journey. Many exciting things are still ahead, and your first early pregnancy ultrasound is one of the biggest ones.

No matter how exciting it is, the first ultrasound still causes some concerns and questions, especially if you are preparing to become a mother for the first time. At this point, you might fear the unknown. But this guide is here to help you find the answers and reassurance you need to feel prepared.

What Is an Early Pregnancy Ultrasound?

An early pregnancy ultrasound, also known as a first-trimester ultrasound, is the first pregnancy ultrasound you will have. This is an imaging procedure that uses sound waves to produce an image of your baby and evaluate the developing pregnancy.

It’s one of the two routine screenings you will normally have in pregnancy, and it holds huge value.

When Is the Early Pregnancy Ultrasound Done?

Now that you know what it is, the next question is: When can you have an ultrasound in early pregnancy? And the answer to this question can vary a lot depending on your unique situation and your doctor’s practice.

Generally speaking, you can be scheduled for your first ultrasound anytime between 5 weeks and 12 weeks.

The average timing for this procedure is 8 weeks. Many healthcare providers schedule the first screening around this time because that’s when the fetus’s image becomes more detailed, which allows for a more comprehensive evaluation of pregnancy dynamics and fetal health. But this is not a strict rule.

In some cases, especially if a particular pregnancy is uncomplicated and there are no causes for concern, your doctor can decide to wait longer and schedule an early pregnancy ultrasound at around 11-12 weeks. Although this will extend your wait, it also has many benefits. In particular, a later ultrasound can help you see more of your baby.

And what about ultrasounds that are held earlier? 5 weeks is the earliest time when an ultrasound can detect pregnancy. Although it is possible, it’s not very common to have your first scan this early. In many cases, such an early scan is performed either on a personal request of a mother-to-be (if she needs reassurance for emotional calmness) or under certain medical indications, such as:

• Bleeding or pain
• Suspicion of ectopic pregnancy
• Suspicion of multiple pregnancy
• High-risk pregnancy
• IVF or assisted reproductive technology

Early Pregnancy Ultrasound: The Procedure

How is an early pregnancy ultrasound done?

Generally, there are two types of ultrasounds done in pregnancy:

• Transvaginal ultrasound: A transducer covered in a condom is placed inside the vagina. This ultrasound allows for a close look at your pelvic organs.
• Abdominal ultrasound: A technician applies gel to your belly and moves a transducer around it to receive an image.

If this is your first pregnancy, you may expect to have an abdominal ultrasound because it’s widely popularized in the media, and chances are that you’ve seen it plenty of times. However, the truth is that you can face both ultrasound options during your early pregnancy ultrasound, depending on the specific time when you have it.

Most often, the earliest screenings, such as those between 5-10 weeks, are performed transvaginally. This is a common practice because the fetus is still very small, and an abdominal screening may not provide a detailed enough image to be able to assess its development. Since the transducer is placed internally, a transvaginal ultrasound can provide a clearer and more detailed image at this time.

Starting from week 11 and beyond, you might have an abdominal ultrasound instead. Nevertheless, it’s still possible that your doctor will suggest an internal probe. This might be done if there is a need for a clearer view of your inner organs and fetus. There also might be a need for a transvaginal ultrasound in women with a high BMI and obesity because excess weight may complicate receiving a clear image transabdominally.

What Will the Doctor Check For?

Now that you know how the process goes, you might also wonder what the doctor can see during your first scan.

The first common question in this regard is: Can an ultrasound detect early pregnancy? Yes. In fact, this is one of the primary reasons for a first routine screening. The first scan is also known as a “viability and dating” ultrasound. So the very first thing your doctor will check for is the viability of your pregnancy. They will locate the fetus inside the uterus to rule out ectopic pregnancy.

Additionally, your healthcare provider will check for:

• Number of fetuses: While locating the pregnancy, a healthcare provider will check the number of sacs and fetuses to see if you are having one or multiple babies.
• Gestational age: A healthcare provider will measure the fetus to detect its gestational age and calculate the due date.
• Fetal growth: Your doctor will look at early organ and bone development in your baby to ensure that it grows as expected.
• Nuchal Translucency (NT): Later in pregnancy (often after 11 weeks), your healthcare provider will also check your baby’s NT. During this examination, they will measure the amount of fluid behind the baby’s neck to evaluate the possibility of chromosomal issues like Down syndrome. Depending on when you have your early pregnancy ultrasound, this can be done together with viability/dating tests or performed as an additional test later.

What Does an Early Pregnancy Ultrasound Look Like?

Last but not least, in order to feel fully prepared for your early pregnancy ultrasound, you probably want to know what you will see in the process. And the answer to this question depends mainly on when you have your screening.

If it’s very early in pregnancy, such as 5 or 6 weeks, you shouldn’t expect to see a lot because your baby is still tiny. In an ultrasound image, you will likely only see a darkened area inside the uterus (gestational sac) with a smaller dot (yolk sac) and a curved structure, which represents the fetal pole.

The later you have your ultrasound, the more your baby will look like a baby. For example, by 11 weeks, you should be able to see a distinguished head, torso, and limbs, as well as some additional details. Also, later in pregnancy, your doctor should be able to detect the baby’s heartbeat more accurately.

FAQ

How early can an ultrasound detect pregnancy?

The earliest time when a technician can see a developing pregnancy in an ultrasound is 5 weeks. Around this time, there should already be a developed gestational sac, yolk sac, and a fetal pole. However, it’s important to note that such an early pregnancy ultrasound doesn’t show too much. That’s why it’s more common to perform the first routine scan later, around 8-12 weeks, unless there are medical indications to do it before this time.

Is internal ultrasound safe in early pregnancy?

Yes, it’s completely safe to have your early pregnancy ultrasound done transvaginally. Although many first-time mothers have concerns about this, experts emphasize zero risks to you and your baby from an internal ultrasound. Furthermore, clinics always cover transducers with condoms to rule out allergic reactions or infections.

Should I worry if I get referred for an early pregnancy ultrasound?

No, you shouldn’t. An early pregnancy ultrasound is an important routine procedure that helps assess pregnancy health and detect any possible issues early on. If you are referred to do this procedure earlier than average (before 8 weeks), this is not necessarily a cause for concern. Even if there are any adverse symptoms or you have a high-risk pregnancy, an earlier screening often helps investigate the causes and find timely and effective treatment measures to support maternal or fetal health.

Conclusion

So, when can you have an ultrasound in early pregnancy, and what should you expect? As you now know, an early pregnancy ultrasound can take place anywhere between 5 and 12 weeks. However, the most common time for this procedure is after 8 weeks, when the fetus is bigger, and the doctor can see more.

After reading this article, you have a detailed guide to this procedure and its specs. Use this information to know what to get ready for and gain the so-needed peace of mind. And remember that you can always talk to your healthcare provider about any questions you still have.

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