First Pregnancy Scan

The first pregnancy scan at 6-9 weeks is primarily done to confirm the pregnancy, assess its viability, and estimate how far along you are. It allows healthcare professionals to check for a heartbeat, confirm the location of the pregnancy within the uterus, and rule out conditions like ectopic pregnancy. This scan is a crucial early step in ensuring the pregnancy is progressing normally and can provide reassurance for expectant parents.

In addition to confirming the pregnancy, this scan is used to calculate your due date more accurately based on the size of the gestational sac or the crown-rump length of the embryo. It also helps identify multiple pregnancies, such as twins or triplets, which require specialised care. This early insight can guide your antenatal care plan and ensure you receive the right support from the start.

Yes, early pregnancy scans are considered very safe for both you and your baby. These scans use ultrasound technology, which works by emitting sound waves to create images of your uterus and the developing embryo. Unlike X-rays or other imaging methods, ultrasound does not use radiation and has no known risks when performed by trained professionals.

In fact, early scans are often recommended to provide essential information about your pregnancy. They are non-invasive and typically performed using a transvaginal probe for a clearer view during this early stage. This method might feel slightly uncomfortable but is considered very safe and offers highly detailed images of your baby’s development.

During a scan at 6-9 weeks, you can expect to see the gestational sac, which appears as a small black area within the uterus, and possibly the yolk sac, which provides nourishment to the embryo. By around 6-7 weeks, the sonographer should be able to detect the embryo itself, and with advanced ultrasound technology, a tiny flickering heartbeat may be visible.

Although the embryo is very small at this stage (about the size of a grain of rice), the scan provides an exciting first glimpse of your baby. It’s important to note that visibility depends on factors like the exact timing of the scan and your body’s anatomy. If the heartbeat isn’t visible yet, the sonographer may suggest a follow-up scan in a week or two for further evaluation.

Clinics who use older ultrasound equipment may ask you to drink water before the appointment to fill your bladder, which helps improve the clarity of the ultrasound images when using an abdominal scan. This isn’t a requirement for our early pregnancy scans, given the high resolution probes we use.Wearing loose, comfortable clothing is recommended, as you’ll need to expose your lower abdomen or have the transvaginal scan performed. Arrive a few minutes early to complete any necessary paperwork, and don’t hesitate to ask your sonographer questions—they are there to make you feel comfortable and informed.

If no heartbeat is detected during your scan, it may simply mean it’s too early in the pregnancy for it to be visible. This is not uncommon, especially if your dates are slightly off or if the scan is performed before the 7-week mark. In such cases, a follow-up scan is usually recommended in 7-14 days to reassess the situation.

However, if the follow-up scan also fails to detect a heartbeat or shows other concerning signs, further investigations will be carried out to determine the next steps. We may refer you to your nearest EPU (Early Pregnancy Unit) for these further investigations.

The primary focus of a 6-9 week scan is to confirm the pregnancy and assess its viability, rather than to diagnose abnormalities. That said, this scan can identify certain early complications, such as an ectopic pregnancy, a blighted ovum (where a gestational sac forms without an embryo), or signs of miscarriage.

More detailed assessments for abnormalities are typically done later in the pregnancy, around 10 weeks, during the combined screening scan. However, if the sonographer notices anything unusual during the early scan, they will inform you and refer you for further evaluation to ensure the best possible care for you and your baby.

In the UK, the first pregnancy scan offered free of charge by the NHS is the dating scan, typically performed between 11 and 14 weeks of pregnancy. This ultrasound aims to estimate your baby’s due date, assess their development, and check for multiple pregnancies. Additionally, it may include a nuchal translucency (NT) measurement to screen for conditions like Down’s syndrome, if you choose to have this screening.

While the dating scan is the initial routine ultrasound provided by the NHS, earlier scans may be available if medically indicated. For instance, if you experience symptoms such as pain or bleeding, or have a history of pregnancy complications, your healthcare provider might refer you for an early pregnancy scan before 11 weeks. These early scans are conducted to ensure the pregnancy is progressing normally and to address any concerns promptly.

You can have a scan at 5 weeks, but it is often very early to see much. At this stage the sonographer may only be able to see the gestational sac — the small fluid-filled space where your baby will develop — while the embryo and heartbeat are usually not yet visible.

Because of this, a scan before 6 weeks can sometimes raise more questions than it answers. Many clinicians suggest waiting until around 6 to 7 weeks, or arranging a follow-up scan a week or two later, so there is a better chance of seeing a heartbeat. If you have any bleeding or pain, an earlier scan may still be recommended to check the location of the pregnancy.

A baby’s heartbeat can typically be seen on an ultrasound from around 6 weeks of pregnancy, and is more reliably visible by 7 weeks. Before about 6 weeks it is usually too early, and not seeing a heartbeat at this very early stage does not necessarily mean anything is wrong.

The exact timing depends on your dates and how the pregnancy is positioned. If a heartbeat is not yet visible, a repeat scan is usually recommended in 7 to 14 days to allow the pregnancy to develop further before drawing any conclusions.

It depends on the type of scan. For an abdominal scan (over the tummy), a fairly full bladder can help lift the womb and improve the image, so some clinics ask you to drink water beforehand. For a transvaginal (internal) scan — often used in early pregnancy for a clearer view — an empty bladder is more comfortable.

At London Pregnancy Clinic, the high-resolution probes we use mean a full bladder is usually not required for our early scans. It is always worth checking the specific advice when you book, so you can arrive prepared and comfortable.

At London Pregnancy Clinic, an early viability scan from 6 weeks is £140, and the 10-week scan — the earliest detailed structural check — is £260. An early fetal scan, offered between 12 and 16 weeks, is also £260.

Every scan includes a written report, your images to take home and time with a specialist. If you would like non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), this is available from £490 when combined with a scan. Prices are the same seven days a week.