Q: When should I have my first ultrasound scan?
A:
If you are under 35 years of age and there are no complications, a good time to have your first scan is at 12 weeks.
If you are unsure when your last menstrual period was, or if you have irregular periods, it is useful to have an early scan to establish the dates: a dating scan.
If you have suffered a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy in the past, you are more likely to want a scan earlier in your pregnancy for reassurance. Also, if you feel you are suffering a miscarriage or fear an ectopic pregnancy, we would recommend that you are seen as soon as possible to consider your concerns and provide reassurance. Women over 35, and certainly women over 40, should have a viability scan at 8 weeks. This is because older women have a greater risk of silent miscarriage. A silent miscarriage is when a woman miscarries but shows no symptoms of bleeding or stomach cramps. In many cases women continue to feel pregnant even if the baby has stopped growing early in the pregnancy. Click here for more information on ultrasound scan services at The Birth Company.
