early pregnancy - Dating Scan
8 weeks onwards
A dating scan is performed, usually when a woman is unsure of her last menstrual period or when her cycles are irregular. The tiny embryo is growing at a rate of around 1mm every day at this stage of pregnancy and from around 8 to 9 weeks onwards, the embryo is visualized using a trans-abdominal scan. This technique involves you having a full bladder when you attend the scan.
This scan will take approximately 20 minutes and can
- Give you an estimated due date
- Show you the heart beat
- Check for twin pregnancy
- Examine your pelvic organs to rule out fibroids and ovarian cyst
- Give you a scan image of fetus.