ULTRASOUND OF EARLY PREGNANCY SCAN

The Ultrasound of Early Pregnancy Scan is one of the first and most reassuring milestones in your pregnancy journey. This simple, safe procedure provides the first glimpse of your developing baby. At Cadabam's Diagnostics, we use this scan to achieve three primary goals: confirm that the pregnancy is viable and developing correctly, establish an accurate due date to guide your prenatal care, and assess the health of your uterus and ovaries. This non-invasive imaging test uses high-frequency sound waves, making it completely safe for both you and your baby.

What is an Early Pregnancy Ultrasound Scan?

An Ultrasound of Early Pregnancy Scan is a diagnostic imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves (sonography) to create live images of your pelvic organs and the developing fetus. A device called a transducer sends out sound waves that travel through your body and bounce off tissues, organs, and the baby. A computer then translates these returning waves into a black-and-white image on a monitor.

This scan can be performed in two different ways, depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy and the level of detail required:

• Transabdominal Ultrasound: The sonographer applies a clear gel to your abdomen and moves a handheld probe across your skin. This is the method most people picture when they think of an ultrasound.
• Transvaginal Ultrasound: A small, specialized probe is gently and carefully inserted into the vaginal canal. This method places the probe closer to the uterus, providing a much clearer and more detailed view of the very early stages of pregnancy, especially before 8 weeks of gestation.

Types of Early Pregnancy Ultrasound Scan

This section details the two methods used to perform your scan. Your doctor or sonographer will choose the best approach for you.

Transabdominal Scan

This is an external scan where the probe is placed on your abdomen. For the best possible images in early pregnancy, this method usually requires a full bladder. A full bladder acts as an acoustic window, pushing the intestines out of the way and lifting the uterus up, providing a clearer view for the sound waves. This method is often used after the 8-10 week mark when the fetus is slightly larger.

Transvaginal Scan

Considered the gold standard for very early pregnancy imaging, the transvaginal scan provides the clearest and most accurate pictures of the gestational sac, yolk sac, and the early embryo. The Transvaginal Ultrasound Early Pregnancy Procedure is straightforward and designed for your comfort. You will be asked to empty your bladder, and a thin, sterile, lubricated probe (about the size of a thumb) is gently inserted into the vagina. Patients typically report feeling a slight pressure, but it is not a painful procedure. Our caring sonographers at Cadabam's Diagnostics will guide you through every step to ensure you are comfortable.

During the scan, the radiologist and sonographer are looking for several key developmental markers. These parameters provide a complete picture of how your pregnancy is progressing.

• Confirmation of Intrauterine Pregnancy: The first step is to confirm the gestational sac is located inside the uterus, which rules out a dangerous ectopic pregnancy.
• Presence of a Gestational Sac and Yolk Sac: The gestational sac is the fluid-filled structure that houses the embryo, and the yolk sac is the earliest source of nutrients. Seeing both is a positive sign.
• Identification of the Fetal Pole: This is the first visible structure of the developing embryo itself.
• Measurement of the Crown-Rump Length (CRL): The sonographer will measure the embryo from the top of its head (crown) to the bottom of its torso (rump). This measurement is the most accurate way to date the pregnancy and determine your estimated due date.
• Detection of the Fetal Heartbeat: Seeing and measuring the fetal heartbeat confirms the pregnancy is viable and developing.
• Determining the Number of Fetuses: The scan will confirm if you are carrying a single baby, twins, triplets, or more.
• Assessment of Maternal Organs: The scan also allows for an evaluation of your uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes to check for any underlying conditions like fibroids or cysts that could affect the pregnancy.

This exam is often referred to as a Dating and Viability Scan because its primary reasons are to confirm these two critical pieces of information. The key objectives are:

• To Confirm Viability: The most important reason is to verify that the pregnancy is healthy and developing as it should be, a fact confirmed by the presence of a fetal heartbeat.
• To Establish Gestational Age: The CRL measurement provides an accurate age for the fetus, which allows your healthcare provider to establish a reliable due date. This timing guides all future tests and check-ups.
• To Determine Pregnancy Location: Confirming that the embryo has implanted inside the uterus is crucial for ruling out an ectopic pregnancy, which is a medical emergency.
• To Check for Multiple Gestations: This scan will definitively tell you if you are expecting one baby or more.
• To Investigate Symptoms: For those experiencing bleeding or pain, the ultrasound can help identify the cause and determine the appropriate course of action.

When and Who Needs to Take an Early Pregnancy Ultrasound Scan?

This scan is typically performed between 6 and 10 weeks of gestation, calculated from the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP). It is a routine and highly recommended part of early prenatal care for all pregnant individuals.

An early scan is particularly important and beneficial if you:

• Are unsure of the date of your last menstrual period (LMP).
• Have a history of previous miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.
• Are experiencing early pregnancy symptoms like pelvic pain, cramping, or vaginal bleeding.
• Have undergone fertility treatments.

Benefits of Taking the Test

The benefits of an early pregnancy ultrasound extend beyond medical data; they provide emotional reassurance and critical information for your health.

• Peace of Mind: Seeing the first images of your baby and hearing a heartbeat can be an incredibly powerful and reassuring experience for expectant parents.
• Accurate Planning: It allows for precise pregnancy dating, which is essential for scheduling future prenatal care, screenings (like the Nuchal Translucency scan), and monitoring fetal growth accurately.
• Early Detection of Issues: The scan can identify potential complications like an ectopic or molar pregnancy at the earliest stage, when intervention is most effective and can be life-saving.

Illnesses Diagnosed with Ultrasound of Early Pregnancy

While most scans confirm a healthy pregnancy, this test is a vital diagnostic tool for identifying certain complications, including:

• Ectopic Pregnancy: A serious condition where the embryo implants outside the uterus, most commonly in a fallopian tube.
• Molar Pregnancy: A rare complication where abnormal tissue grows inside the uterus instead of an embryo.
• Anembryonic Pregnancy (Blighted Ovum): A condition where a gestational sac develops, but an embryo does not.
• Impending or Completed Miscarriage: The scan can help confirm pregnancy loss and ensure no tissue remains that could cause complications.

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

• For a Transabdominal Scan: You will be instructed to drink several glasses of water (about 1 litre) approximately one hour before your appointment. It is important that you do not urinate before the scan. A full bladder is necessary for clear images.
• For a Transvaginal Scan: No full bladder is needed. In fact, you will be asked to empty your bladder completely just before the procedure begins.
• Clothing: Wear comfortable, loose-fitting two-piece clothing (like a top and pants/skirt). This allows for easy access to your abdomen without needing to fully undress.

Pre-requisites

• A doctor's referral or prescription is typically required to book the scan.
• If you have any previous scan reports or medical records related to your pregnancy, please bring them with you to your appointment.

Best Time to Take the Early Pregnancy Ultrasound Scan

The ideal window for the most informative Ultrasound of Early Pregnancy Scan is between 6 and 10 weeks of pregnancy.

What to Expect at 6 Week Ultrasound

Many parents are curious about what to expect at a 6 week ultrasound. At this very early stage, a transvaginal scan is almost always used. The sonographer can typically identify the gestational sac and the yolk sac. In many cases, the fetal pole (the first sign of the embryo) and a flickering heartbeat can also be seen. However, if your dates are slightly off or you ovulated later than expected, it may be too soon to see the heartbeat, and a follow-up scan in 7-10 days is common practice.

Eligibility

Any individual with a confirmed or suspected pregnancy is eligible for this scan. There are no health conditions or contraindications that would prevent you from having a diagnostic ultrasound.

Procedure for Taking an Early Pregnancy Ultrasound Scan

At Cadabam's Diagnostics, we ensure the procedure is comfortable and professional.

• Step 1: The Room: You will be led to a private, dimly lit ultrasound room. The low lighting helps our sonographer see the monitor clearly to get the best possible images.
• Step 2 (Transabdominal): You will lie comfortably on your back on an examination table. A warm, water-based gel will be applied to your lower abdomen. This gel helps eliminate air pockets and ensures good contact between the probe and your skin. The sonographer will then gently press and move the transducer over the area to capture images.
• Step 3 (Transvaginal): If a transvaginal scan is needed, you will lie on your back, often with your feet placed in supports (stirrups), similar to a pelvic exam. A thin, specialized probe, covered with a sterile sheath and lubricant, will be gently inserted into your vagina. We want to assure you that the Transvaginal Ultrasound Early Pregnancy Procedure may feel like slight pressure but is generally not painful.
• Duration: The entire scan process typically takes between 15 and 30 minutes to complete.

Caution Before Taking the Test

• Please inform the sonographer if you are experiencing any severe pain or discomfort at any point during the scan.
• It is also important to let our team know if you have a latex allergy, as the cover for the transvaginal probe is often made of latex. We have non-latex alternatives available.