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Early pregnancy can be a very exciting time and often couples want to see their baby as soon as possible. This scan is available to anyone who wants some reassurance, but particularly for those who are unsure of their dates, have had some bleeding, pelvic pains, concerns, or have felt that their early pregnancy symptoms have disappeared when they should be present. The purpose of the early pregnancy scan is: To confirm location of the pregnancy (Is the baby inside the womb?) To determine fetal viability (Is my baby’s heart beating?) To measure fetal heart rate (How fast is the baby’s heart beat?) To provide accurate gestational dating by crown-rump-length (How far along am I?) To establish an estimated due date (When is my baby due?) To determine number of fetuses (Could I be having twins?) To assess the ovaries and uterus to make sure that they are normal (please note that these structures are not always clear on ultrasound) This scan cannot: Rule out chromosomal or anatomical abnormalities Assess the final location of the placental as it is too early When is the best time to go for an Early Pregnancy Scan? The heart beat of the embryo can be seen from 6 weeks onward, therefore, the Early Pregnancy Baby Scan can be performed from 6 weeks 0 days – 11 weeks 6 days from the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP). If your menstrual cycle is longer than 28 days it is advisable to wait until you are at least till 8 weeks from your LMP to confirm the viability of the embryo as you may not be as far as your dates suggest. How do I prepare for an Early Pregnancy Scan? You are required to have an adequately full bladder for your early pregnancy scan. What to expect from the early pregnancy scan During the ultrasound scan the position and shape of the gestational sac is assessed. It is important to see the sac within the uterus as this excludes an ectopic pregnancy. The presence of the embryo or possibly multiple embryos is reviewed. The heart rate is measured to determine viability. A measurement is then taken from the tip of the head to the little bottom, called the crown rump length (CRL). When performed correctly, this measurement is the most accurate way of dating a pregnancy. Many studies show that this form of dating is more accurate than the first day of the last period or measurements taken at detailed anomaly scan which is carried out at around 20 weeks. We also examine the uterus and ovaries for any pathology such as ovarian cysts or fibroids.