Whether it’s your first pregnancy or you’ve been through this before, the first scan provides essential information about your pregnancy and offers reassurance. If you’re wondering what to expect, what it can reveal, and how to prepare for it.
When is the First Pregnancy Scan?
Typically, the first pregnancy scan takes place between 6 to 12 weeks of pregnancy. This scan, also known as the dating scan, helps confirm the pregnancy, establish an accurate due date, and assess the early development of your baby. If you’re further along or have irregular menstrual cycles, your doctor might schedule the scan a little later.
What Happens During the Scan?
The first pregnancy scan is generally a transabdominal ultrasound, where a gel is applied to your abdomen, and a small handheld device (called a transducer) is moved over your belly to capture images of your baby. In some cases, if your doctor needs clearer images early in the pregnancy, an internal (transvaginal) ultrasound may be recommended, where a small probe is gently inserted into the vagina to capture a more detailed image.
Here’s what you can expect during the scan:
- Preparing for the Scan: For an abdominal ultrasound, you may be asked to drink plenty of water beforehand to fill your bladder. A full bladder helps push the uterus upward, making it easier to capture clear images of the baby. You’ll be asked to lie on your back, and a technician will apply a cool, clear gel to your abdomen. The gel helps the transducer make contact with your skin and improves the clarity of the ultrasound images.
- The Procedure: The ultrasound technician will move the transducer over your belly in different directions. You might be able to see your baby on the screen, even in the early stages of pregnancy. Although it may feel a little cold due to the gel, the procedure is painless and usually lasts around 15 to 20 minutes. If an internal ultrasound is required, the process is similar, but you may feel a little discomfort as the probe is inserted. For more information, you can consult our doctor at the best fetal medicine clinic in Kolkata.
- What the Scan Reveals: Your first scan offers a lot of important information:
- Confirming Pregnancy: The scan can confirm the presence of a viable pregnancy and check whether the pregnancy is inside the uterus (not an ectopic pregnancy, which occurs outside the uterus, typically in the fallopian tube).
- Gestational Age: By measuring the size of the embryo or fetus, the doctor can determine the gestational age, which helps calculate your expected due date. This is especially helpful if your periods are irregular, making it harder to predict ovulation and conception dates.
- Heartbeat: At this stage, you may hear the baby’s heartbeat, which can be an emotional and exciting moment for parents. A strong heartbeat at this stage is a good sign of a healthy pregnancy.
- Multiple Pregnancies: The scan will also confirm whether you’re having a singleton pregnancy or multiples (twins, triplets, etc.), which could require different care and planning.
- Checking for Abnormalities: Although the first scan is primarily for dating the pregnancy, it can also detect early signs of potential complications, such as an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage.
4. Results and Next Steps: After the scan, the technician will show you the images and explain what’s visible. The doctor or midwife will discuss the results with you and outline the next steps in your pregnancy care. If everything looks normal, you will typically be scheduled for a 12-week scan (the nuchal translucency scan) to check for any potential chromosomal issues like Down syndrome.
Conclusion
Your first pregnancy scan is a pivotal moment that marks the beginning of your journey toward becoming a parent. It not only confirms your pregnancy but also provides important insights into your baby’s development. Reach out to our fetal clinic in Kolkata to know more about this scan.