Early Pregnancy / Viability Scan (7-11 Weeks)

Book your Early
Pregnancy / Viability Scan Online

An early pregnancy (also called a viability or dating scan) will confirm a pregnancy and establish an estimated due date.

An early pregnancy viability scan can be performed from 6 weeks of pregnancy, it is available to all women, and particularly recommended where there has been pain or bleeding. We recommend this scan for all pregnant women over 35.

How is the scan done?

• Early pregnancy scans are easily performed at 7-11 weeks of pregnancy and are usually done ‘transabdominally’ which means over the tummy.
• A 6-7 week transvaginal scan can be done if you are concerned about a possible ectopic pregnancy. At this stage we are unlikely to see a heart beating but we will be able to confirm that the pregnancy sac is within the uterus.

What can the scan at 7-11 weeks confirm?

• How many embryos there are
• Confirm the presence of a heartbeat
• Indicate the size of the pregnancy sac or the embryo, which confirms the number of weeks of pregnancy.
• It can also confirm the presence of internal bleeding which may be significant and require regular scans.

What are the indications or reasons for having this scan?

• Unsure of dates
• Bleeding or spotting
• Unusual pain
• History of early miscarriage
• History of an ectopic pregnancy

Consultant or Sonographer?

• If you are having a normal pregnancy, then in most cases a scan by one of our experienced sonographers is advisable. All our sonographers are fully qualified and accredited, so you are in safe hands.
• If however, you are experiencing complications with your pregnancy or need a second opinion, a scan with our consultant is recommended.

Is it easy to make an appointment?

We offer morning, afternoon and evening appointments during the week, as well as weekend appointments. A surcharge will be applied for evening and weekend appointments. We have a wide range of availability therefore short notice appointments can be easily arranged.

What you will receive:

• Ultrasound scan results including gestational age and estimated due date.
• A report to file with your maternity notes.
• Ultrasound images
• Short video clips and ultrasound images sent electronically with a copy of your report.

How to Prepare for your scan

• A moderately full bladder will improve the visibility of the pregnancy by transabdominal scan.
• If a transvaginal (internal) ultrasound scan is necessary you will be asked to empty your bladder by the sonographer.

How is the scan electronically sent to you?

The Birth Company is the first clinic in UK to offer this service allowing you to share your pregnancy ultrasound with friends and family wherever they are in the world. This optional recording can be shared via Email, Facebook and Twitter. We will offer this to you routinely at the end of the scan. The transmission is instantaneous. Please note on this system there is no sound, only video. It is a national policy not to permit patient or partner's phone recording in a room. Simply tell your sonographer that you would like an electronic transmission of your scan. It will appear on your phone immediately.

What is the next scan following an early pregnancy scan?

The next scan is the 12 week Nuchal Translucency Scan which assesses the risks of Down's syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities. You can have the Nuchal scan from 11 weeks 2 days to 13 weeks 6 days of pregnancy. As well as receiving a risk for Down’s, Edward’s and Patau’s syndrome we can also diagnose certain major fetal abnormalities. The Nuchal Translucency scan demonstrates an 85% sensitivity for the detection of Down’s syndrome.

If you are looking for a test with a higher detection than the Nuchal Translucency Scan and Non Invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT) suchas Harmony NIPT, Panorama NIPT or SAFE NIPT can be taken from 10 weeks of pregnancy. This test is non-invasive involving an ultrasound scan then a simple and safe blood test from the mother's arm.

Book your Early
Pregnancy / Viability Scan Online