8 Week Scan in 3D
3D at 8 weeks?! ???
We always like to test the capabilities of the latest ultrasound tech. This is a real 3D image of an embryo at just 8 weeks when it is typically just 3/4 of an inch long (just short of 2cm – the size of a raspberry.)
By 8 weeks the embryo will already have tiny hands and feet as well as distinguishable fingers and toes. The respiratory system is also starting to develop at this stage and the heart is beating at a rapid rate of 150-170 beats per minute to help facilitate the exponential growth of the embryo early in the pregnancy.
The baby’s structures are too small at 8 weeks to be able to properly examine them using ultrasound. NIPT (Harmony Test) is also not reliable at this stage due to the small fetal fraction in the mother’s blood – you will have to wait until at least 10 weeks.
That’s why at 6-9 weeks we recommend coming in for a Viability Scan:
- Confirm the baby’s heartbeat
- Date the pregnancy
- Check for single/multiple pregnancy
- Check main structures of the gestational sac, which include the baby (the embryo), the yolk sac, and the future placenta
