Early pregnancy scans provide vital information and reassurance in the first weeks of your pregnancy journey.
What is an Early Pregnancy Scan?
An early pregnancy scan is typically performed between 6-12 weeks of pregnancy. It's often the first opportunity to see your baby and confirm everything is progressing well.
What Does It Check?
Pregnancy Location
Confirming the pregnancy is developing in the uterus, not in a fallopian tube (ectopic pregnancy).
Viability
Detecting a heartbeat is incredibly reassuring and indicates a healthy, viable pregnancy.
Dating
Measuring the embryo or fetus to establish your due date accurately.
Multiple Pregnancies
Checking whether you're expecting one baby, twins, or more.
When to Book
The optimal timing for an early scan is:
- No earlier than 6.5 weeks - to ensure we can see a heartbeat
- Count from the first day of your last menstrual period
Coming too early may mean we can't see as much, potentially causing unnecessary worry.
What You'll See
Depending on timing, you may see:
- The gestational sac
- The yolk sac
- Your baby (embryo)
- The heartbeat
The Experience
Early pregnancy scans may be performed:
- Abdominally (on your tummy)
- Transvaginally (internal) - for clearer images in very early pregnancy
Both methods are safe and painless.
Book your early pregnancy scan at Ultrasound Ireland. Visit our Early Pregnancy Scan page or call 01 210 0232.