Early Pregnancy
Early pregnancy scans can be performed between 6 and 12 weeks following conception, and may help relieve anxiety during the first trimester.
Early Pregnancy with Jersey Women’s Health Hub
Ensuring you are in the best health prior to conceiving improves your chances of having a successful, complication-free pregnancy.
An early pregnancy scan during the first trimester can tell you the number of embryos, as well confirm the presence of a heart beat and be used to predict your due date.
The Details
What is an early pregnancy scan?
Early pregnancy scans can assess the number of embryos, pregnancy viability/heartbeat and determine due dates. They are typically performed in the first trimester, between 6 and 12 weeks following conception, but the optimum time for an early pregnancy scan is 8 weeks following the first day of your missed period.
Before your ultrasound, please wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows easy access to the area that is being imagined. Two-piece clothing–separate upper/lower garments–is ideal.
What happens during an early pregnancy scan?
Usually, early pregnancy scans are performed transvaginally (internally). This involves inserting a thin transducer, an ultrasound probe slightly thicker than a tampon, into the vagina. Transvaginal scans are safe at all stages of pregnancy. The transducer is lubricated with gel before insertion into the vagina. It is disinfected, and a protective cover is placed over the transducer each time it is used, so there is no risk of infection. This improves the accuracy of dating the pregnancy.
We encourage you to bring your partner to the appointment or a supportive friend, but you can also attend alone.
Following your early pregnancy scan, we are happy to talk and consider whether prenatal testing for chromosomal abnormalities such as Down’s Syndrome is desired.
Other services
It’s often difficult to feel heard when speaking about issues related to women’s health. That’s why—at Jersey Women’s Health Hub—we’re here for you every step of the way. From fertility issues to menopause, we’ve got you covered.