Many women find it exciting to wait through the first weeks of their pregnancy. Perhaps you just have a positive test in hand, have experienced a miscarriage before, or simply want a bit more certainty. An early ultrasound (also known as a viability scan) can provide a lot of reassurance.
At The New Mom Club, you can get an early ultrasound from about 6 to 7 weeks of pregnancy.
What is an early ultrasound?
An early ultrasound is one that is performed before the dating scan at around 10-12 weeks. The goal is not to determine the due date, but to see how the pregnancy is developing. It also helps to find out whether there is 1 or 2 babies. Because the pregnancy is still early, this ultrasound is usually done internally. This allows us to see many more details than through the abdomen. If you are not comfortable with this, that's no problem; we will first try it externally.
What can you see at 6 weeks of pregnancy?
Around 6 weeks of pregnancy, we can often already see:
- Whether the pregnancy is located in the uterus.
- The gestational sac.
- The yolk sac.
- An embryo.
- Sometimes already a beating heart.
Every pregnancy develops at its own pace. Therefore, it may happen that not everything is visible at exactly 6 weeks. Sometimes coming back a week later is enough to gain more clarity.
What can you see at 7 weeks of pregnancy?
From about 7 weeks, much more is often visible. We can usually see:
- The embryo.
- The heart activity.
- How many embryos are present (one or more).
- Whether the pregnancy is developing appropriately for the gestational age.
For many parents, this is the first moment when the pregnancy really starts to feel "real."
Why do women choose an early ultrasound?
Every woman has her own reason. Common reasons include:
Simply because it still doesn't feel 'real'
Many women (and partners) initially experience the feeling of: is this really happening... Sometimes such an early ultrasound can really give the feeling: "Yes, we are pregnant!"
After a previous miscarriage
A new pregnancy can bring a lot of tension. An early ultrasound can sometimes provide a bit more confidence. We know that if we see a heartbeat after 8 weeks, the chance of miscarriage decreases!
Uncertainty about the duration of the pregnancy
With an irregular cycle, it can be difficult to know exactly how far along you are. And that can sometimes be nice for the rest of the pregnancy. It makes quite a difference whether you are 6 weeks or 10 weeks pregnant :).
Bleeding or abdominal pain
An ultrasound can sometimes provide more clarity about what is going on.
Simply a need for reassurance
That is also a good reason. The first weeks can feel long and raise many questions.
Can everyone have an (internal) early ultrasound?
No. Performing medical ultrasounds is reserved for healthcare professionals who are qualified and competent to do so.
As a BIG-registered midwife, I am authorized to perform and assess early pregnancy ultrasounds. This means that you not only get a beautiful image but also professional guidance and explanations about what we see.
The advantage is that you won't leave me with uncertainty. I can provide you with a lot of explanations because I know what I'm talking about. If there are concerns or uncertainties, I will always refer you to the treating midwife/doctor.
When is the best time to make an appointment?
For the most clarity, we recommend an early ultrasound starting from about 7 weeks of pregnancy.
Are you a little less far along? Then we can discuss together what the best time is to schedule an ultrasound.
A special first glimpse
An early ultrasound is often the very first moment you can see your pregnancy. Whether you come for reassurance, curiosity, or because you have questions: you are very welcome at The New Mom Club.
Would you like to schedule an early ultrasound? Feel free to contact us or book an appointment directly. 💛
