This is an ultrasound examination that is usually performed between 6-10 weeks of pregnancy
The aims of this scan are to determine the:
- Location of pregnancy- with in the uterus or outside the uterus like in tubes, ovaries.
- Number of embryos present – Approximately 2% of natural conceptions and 10% of assisted conceptions result in multiple pregnancies. Ultrasound scanning can determine if both babies are developing normally and if the babies share the same placenta which can lead to problems in the pregnancy. In such cases it would be advisable to monitor the pregnancy more closely.
- Accurate gestational age by dating the pregnancy- Dating the pregnancy is particularly relevant for women who cannot recall the date of their last period, have an irregular menstrual cycle, or who have conceived whilst breastfeeding or soon after stopping the pill. We measure the size of the fetus and from this we calculate the expected date of delivery
It also helps to look for Fetal heart rate and diagnosis of early pregnancy failure or miscarriage.