US PREGNANCY DATING SCAN

Welcome to one of the most exciting first steps in your pregnancy journey! The US Pregnancy Dating Scan is often the first time you'll get a glimpse of your developing baby. At Cadabams Diagnostics, we understand this is a significant and emotional moment. This simple and safe imaging test serves a vital purpose: it confirms your pregnancy, accurately calculates your baby’s gestational age, and establishes a reliable due date. Using harmless sound waves, this non-invasive early pregnancy ultrasound scan provides you and your doctor with essential information for planning your prenatal care, giving you invaluable peace of mind.

What is a US Pregnancy Dating Scan?

A US Pregnancy Dating Scan is a type of medical ultrasound that uses high-frequency sound waves to create live images, or sonograms, of your uterus and the developing embryo inside. The technology is safe and straightforward: a small handheld device called a transducer sends sound waves into your body. These waves bounce off your internal organs and the baby, and a computer translates these echoes into a real-time picture on a monitor.

This scan can be performed in two different ways, depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy:

1. Transabdominal Scan: The transducer is moved across the skin of your lower abdomen.
2. Transvaginal Scan: A small, specialized probe is gently placed inside the vagina. This method is often used in the very early stages of pregnancy to get a clearer and more detailed image.

Types of US Pregnancy Dating Scan

As mentioned, there are two methods to perform the scan. Your sonographer will choose the best approach based on your specific situation and gestational week.

• Transabdominal Ultrasound: For this scan, you will lie on your back while a sonographer applies a clear, water-based gel to your lower belly. This gel helps ensure good contact between your skin and the transducer. The sonographer then gently glides the transducer over your abdomen to capture images. This method usually requires a full bladder, which helps push the uterus into a better position for viewing.

• Transvaginal Ultrasound: This scan provides a much clearer and more detailed view, making it the preferred method for very early pregnancies (typically before 8 weeks). You will be asked to empty your bladder first. A thin, wand-like probe, slightly wider than a tampon and covered with a sterile, lubricated sheath, is gently inserted into the vagina. While it may cause a feeling of mild pressure, the procedure should not be painful.

The sonographer carefully evaluates several key markers to assess the health and progress of your pregnancy. This is much more than just a peek at your baby; it's a critical diagnostic assessment.

• Gestational Sac: This is the fluid-filled structure that surrounds the embryo in the very early stages. Its presence is the first definitive sign of an early pregnancy within the uterus.
• Yolk Sac: A small, circular structure seen within the gestational sac. The yolk sac provides all the necessary nutrients to the embryo before the placenta is fully formed and takes over.
• Fetal Pole & Heartbeat: The fetal pole is the first visible sign of a developing embryo. A crucial part of this viability scan is detecting the fetal heartbeat, which confirms that the pregnancy is progressing and viable.
• Crown-Rump Length (CRL): This is the measurement of the embryo from the top of its head (crown) to its bottom (rump). In the first trimester, the CRL is the single most accurate measurement used in an ultrasound to confirm due date.
• Number of Fetuses: The scan will identify the number of gestational sacs and embryos to determine if you are carrying a single baby, twins, or higher-order multiples.
• Location of Pregnancy: A primary goal is to confirm that the gestational sac is located inside the uterus (an intrauterine pregnancy). This helps rule out a dangerous ectopic pregnancy, where the embryo implants outside the uterus, most commonly in a fallopian tube.

The primary purpose is to gather foundational information for your entire pregnancy. Key reasons for undergoing the scan include:

• To Establish an Accurate Due Date: The CRL measurement provides the most precise Estimated Due Date (EDD), which guides all subsequent prenatal care and testing.
• To Confirm Viability: Detecting a fetal heartbeat provides powerful reassurance that the pregnancy is viable and developing as it should.
• To Determine the Number of Babies: Early identification of a multiple pregnancy is crucial for appropriate prenatal monitoring and care.
• To Rule Out Ectopic Pregnancy: Confirming the pregnancy is in the uterus is vital for the mother's health and safety.
• To Investigate Symptoms: For those experiencing bleeding or pain, the scan can help identify the cause and assess the health of the pregnancy.

When and Who Needs to Take a US Pregnancy Dating Scan?

The US Pregnancy Dating Scan is typically performed early in the first trimester, usually between 6 and 10 weeks of gestation.

It is recommended for all pregnant individuals as a standard part of early prenatal care. It is particularly essential for those who:

• Are unsure of their last menstrual period (LMP).
• Have irregular menstrual cycles, making it difficult to calculate the due date.
• Conceived while using contraception or through assisted reproductive technologies like IVF.
• Have a history of miscarriage or previous pregnancy complications, such as an ectopic pregnancy.
• Are experiencing symptoms like pelvic pain or bleeding in early pregnancy.

Benefits of Taking the Test

The benefits of a US Pregnancy Dating Scan extend beyond medical data, offering significant emotional value as well.

• Accurate Prenatal Planning: An accurate due date ensures that subsequent important tests, like the Nuchal Translucency (NT) scan and the anomaly scan, are performed at the correct time.

• Peace of Mind: Seeing your baby's heartbeat for the first time is a profound and reassuring experience for expectant parents.

• Early Detection & Management: The scan allows for the early identification of potential issues like an ectopic pregnancy or a non-viable pregnancy, enabling prompt and effective medical management.

• Emotional Bonding: This first "meeting" can be a powerful moment that helps parents begin the bonding process with their new baby.While this scan is not designed to diagnose fetal abnormalities (which are assessed in later scans), it is critical for confirming or identifying specific early pregnancy conditions:

• Confirms a Viable Intrauterine Pregnancy: The most common and desired outcome.

• Diagnoses an Ectopic Pregnancy: Identifies a pregnancy located outside the uterus.

• Identifies a Molar Pregnancy: A rare condition where abnormal tissue grows instead of an embryo.

• Confirms a Miscarriage: Can diagnose an anembryonic pregnancy (a "blighted ovum" where an embryo fails to develop) or a fetal demise (when a heartbeat that was previously seen is no longer present).

Illnesses Diagnosed with Pregnancy Dating Scan

While this scan is not designed to diagnose fetal abnormalities (which are assessed in later scans), it is critical for confirming or identifying specific early pregnancy conditions:

• Confirms a Viable Intrauterine Pregnancy: The most common and desired outcome.
• Diagnoses an Ectopic Pregnancy: Identifies a pregnancy located outside the uterus.
• Identifies a Molar Pregnancy: A rare condition where abnormal tissue grows instead of an embryo.
• Confirms a Miscarriage: Can diagnose an anembryonic pregnancy (a "blighted ovum" where an embryo fails to develop) or a fetal demise (when a heartbeat that was previously seen is no longer present).

Preparation is simple and depends on the type of scan you are having.

• For a Transabdominal Scan: You will be instructed to have a full bladder. This means drinking several glasses of water (about 1 litre) approximately one hour before your appointment and not using the restroom. A full bladder acts as an acoustic window, pushing the uterus up and the bowel gas away, which allows for a much clearer image.
• For a Transvaginal Scan: An empty bladder is required. You will be encouraged to use the restroom right before the procedure begins to ensure maximum comfort and the best possible imaging.
• Clothing: It is best to wear comfortable, loose-fitting, two-piece clothing (like a top and pants/skirt). This allows for easy access to your lower abdomen without needing to change out of your clothes.

Pre-requisites

• A referral or prescription from your gynaecologist or family doctor is typically required to book the scan.
• If you have any previous medical records or reports from prior scans, please bring them with you to the appointment.

Best Time to Take the US Pregnancy Dating Scan

For the most accurate dating results, the ideal window to perform this scan is between 6 to 10 weeks of gestation, calculated from the first day of your last menstrual period.

Eligibility

This scan is for anyone with a confirmed or suspected pregnancy who needs to establish a due date and confirm viability.

Procedure for Taking a US Pregnancy Dating Scan

Our team at Cadabams Diagnostics is committed to making your experience as comfortable as possible. Here is what you can expect:

1. Arrival & Check-in: You will check in at the reception. If you need to perform a transvaginal scan, you may be asked to use the restroom to empty your bladder.
2. Entering the Scan Room: A trained sonographer will welcome you into a private, dimly lit room and ask you to lie down comfortably on an examination table.
3. The Scan Process:
   • If Transabdominal: You will be asked to expose your lower abdomen. The sonographer will apply a warm, clear gel to your skin and then press the transducer firmly against your belly, moving it around to capture the necessary images. You may feel some light pressure.
   • If Transvaginal: You will be given a sheet for privacy while you remove your clothing from the waist down. The sonographer will explain the process as they gently insert the thin, lubricated probe into your vagina. The probe is moved carefully to different angles to get the best views.
4. Viewing the Screen: The sonographer will turn the monitor so you can see the images of your baby. They will point out the gestational sac, yolk sac, and, if visible, the tiny flutter of the heartbeat.
5. Duration: The entire procedure is usually completed within 15 to 30 minutes.
6. After the Scan: The gel will be wiped off, and you can get dressed and go about your day immediately.

Caution Before Taking the Test

• Please inform the sonographer or our front desk staff if you have a latex allergy. The cover on the transvaginal probe contains latex, and a non-latex alternative can be used.
• While the scan is not painful, please communicate immediately with the sonographer if you experience any significant pain or discomfort during the procedure.