First ultrasound of pregnancy: when, why and how is it done? Know what doctors see in the report and why this test is necessary

As soon as the pregnancy test (UPT) comes positive, the first question that arises in the mind of the parents is when to go to the doctor to see the condition of the baby and when will the first ultrasound be done.

In medical science the first ultrasound is usually called ‘Dating and Viability Scan’ or ‘Early Pregnancy Scan’.

• Right time: This test is generally recommended to be done between the sixth to eighth week (6 to 8 weeks) of pregnancy (counting from the first day of the last menstrual period i.e. LMP).

• If a woman has a history of miscarriage, severe pain in the lower abdomen or mild bleeding/spotting, then the doctor may recommend it in the 5th week also.

This scan is not just a formality but the most important medical step to ensure the primary safety of both the mother and the baby. During this the doctor checks the following key points:

• 1. Correct position of the fetus (implantation): First of all it is seen whether the embryo has been established in the right place inside the uterus or not. this test Ectopic Pregnancy Eliminates the life-threatening risk of ovarian cancer, in which the embryo begins to develop outside the uterus (such as in the fallopian tube).

• 2. Fetal Heartbeat: The fetal heart starts beating around 6 to 7 weeks. The ultrasound measures the fetal position and heartbeat (Fetal Heart Rate – FHR), which is usually considered normal between 110 to 160 beats per minute (bpm).

• 3. Gestational Sac and Yolk Sac: The doctor sees whether the gestational sac (bag of waters) and the yolk sac (which nourishes the fetus in the early weeks) are properly formed in the uterus.

• 4. Determining the Exact Delivery Date (EDD): Many women have irregular periods. In this scan the length of the fetus from head to buttocks i.e. Crown-Rump Length (CRL) It is measured to determine the baby’s exact gestational age and expected delivery date.

• 5. Single or Multiple Pregnancy: Through this test it also becomes clear whether there is one child in the womb or twins or triplets.

Ultrasound can be done in two ways in early pregnancy:

• Trans-abdominal scan (TAS): In this, gel is applied on the stomach and the probe is rotated. For this the woman Bladder must be completely full Therefore, you are asked to drink 3-4 glasses of water 30-40 minutes before the test so that the filled bladder lifts the uterus and a clear picture is visible.

• Trans-vaginal scan (TVS): In the early stages of 6 to 7 weeks, when the fetus is as small as a grain of rice, doctors perform a TVS scan to ensure clear visualization and a heartbeat. In this, a thin, sterile probe is inserted through the vagina. This process is completely safe and painless, and does not cause any harm to the baby or the fetus.

• If the doctor has advised an abdominal scan, drink enough water so that holding urine is not uncomfortable but the bladder remains full.

• Wear loose and comfortable clothes (like salwar-kurta or two-piece dress) so that the abdomen can be easily examined.

• Remember the exact date of your last menstrual period (LMP) or note it down in the diary/app and carry it with you.

• If the doctor finds a faint or unclear heartbeat on the first scan, don’t panic; Many times, due to late ovulation, the actual age of pregnancy is less, for which doctors recommend re-scan after 7 to 10 days.