First Trimester Scans

Having a scan during the first stage of your pregnancy is an exciting experience. But scans can also be a cause of worry because there are findings that you do not understand or questions may arise after the examination.

Scans or ultrasound examination during the first trimester is one way to confirm pregnancy. It also helps determine the following:

• The position of your baby in the uteus
  
  
• If your baby’s heart is beating. A heartbeat indicates if pregnancy is viable.
  
  
• Your due date. If you don’t exactly remember the first day of your last period then an ultrasound exam can tell you how far you are into your pregnancy.
  
  
• If you are carrying twins or more.
  
  
• If you are experiencing bleeding or spotting, a scan can tell you the reasons why is this so.
  

How are scans done?

If a health care provider suggests a scan during the first 2 months of pregnancy, a transvaginal ultrasound is usually done. A probe covered by a condom is inserted into the vagina and a magnified image of the baby is shown on the screen. At this time, your baby is too small to be detected by an abdominal scan.

After 2 months and for the rest of your pregnancy, an abdominal scan will be used. A gel is placed over your abdomen and a transducer (hand-held probe) will move around your tummy to get images of your baby.

Read more of our articles on the first trimester

First Trimester Emotional and Physical Needs
Getting Used to the First Trimester
Fatigue and Morning Sickness in The First Trimester
First Trimester Worries
First Trimester Scans
Before a Pregnancy Test Says Positive
The First Trimester From a Mother’s Point of View
Zygote, Embryo or Fetus?
Should You Consider Back-up Prenatal Testing?

Read about the other trimesters

• Second Trimester
• Third Trimester