It’s a very exciting time, but it can also be stressful to hear that you’re due to have your first pregnancy ultrasound scan at just six weeks pregnant. It’s your doctor or midwife’s way of ensuring your baby is healthy and growing at a normal rate.
Can I Book a 6 Week Ultrasound?
You may be offered a 6-week scan if your GP thinks you may have an ectopic pregnancy (the fertilized egg implants in a fallopian tube or another place outside the uterus) pregnancy scan belfast. This is a severe condition that can lead to miscarriage or death for the mother and is often diagnosed as soon as it is found.
Your 6 week scan might be a transvaginal (inside) scan, which uses a wand to take pictures of your baby. This type of ultrasound usually doesn’t hurt and is a good way to see your baby and check the heartbeat without going through your cervix.
You’re excited, and a bit scared.
The 6 week scan can help your doctor or midwife find out where the embryo is implanted in your uterus and how high it is in your uterus. This can help with diagnostic tests, like checking the amount of amniotic fluid and location of the placenta.
If your doctor or midwife thinks that it might be possible you have Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome or Patau’s syndrome, they might also offer a test called a nuchal translucency scan. This is a very accurate test that’s normally carried out during your early pregnancy ultrasound.