First chance to see your baby

Ultrasound scans use sound waves to build a picture of the baby in the womb. Here, private scanning company Window to the Womb explains exactly what sonographers look for

At eight weeks you should see a pregnancy sac with a yolk sac inside and baby should measure 15mm

Ultrasound scans in pregnancy can be used for a variety of reasons, but the primary purpose is to more thoroughly understand the wellbeing of both mother and baby.

According to the Obstetric Ultrasound Handbook for Sonographers, screening is described as “the process of identifying people who appear healthy but may be at increased risk of a disease or condition.”

They provide invaluable diagnostic results, ensuring expectant parents receive the best ongoing care needed for a healthy pregnancy and delivery.

The NHS offers two voluntary ultrasound scans as part of its maternity care.

These ultrasound scans generally take place between eight and 14 weeks and 18-21 weeks.

Many parents opt for additional scans – private or NHS – depending on their history and/or current circumstances.

During these scans the sonographer conducts a wide range of observations to confirm a viable intrauterine pregnancy or otherwise.

These observations include:

■ an assessment of the uterus

■ an assessment of the pelvic area and ovaries

■ an assessment of the basic anatomy of the embryo or foetus.

The sonographer is also working to detect some abnormalities and to check the foetus is growing normally and visualise the heartbeat.

A heartbeat can been seen on screen from as little as six weeks gestation. It is not possible to hear the heartbeat at this stage as baby is mere millimetres in length.

What will I see in early pregnancy? Understandably, this is one of the most common queries

■ Six weeks gestation: a pregnancy sac with a yolk sac inside. Baby should measure 4mm with a heartbeat.

■ Seven weeks: a pregnancy sac with a yolk sac inside. Baby should measure 8mm with a heartbeat.

■ Eight weeks: a pregnancy sac with a yolk sac inside. Baby should measure 15mm with a heartbeat.

■ 10 weeks: the shape of baby, their movements and the heartbeat.

Do I need an Internal (transvaginal) scan in early pregnancy?

An abdominal scan uses a small amount of cold gel and a probe on the stomach.

This requires a full bladder, which lifts baby up for better visibility.

Under 10 weeks gestation, the baby is often too small to properly visualise using an abdominal scan, and national guidelines recommend expectant parents be offered an internal ultrasound scan.

This is also known as a transvaginal scan and is performed using a small internal probe covered by a sterile sheath, the tip of which is inserted into the vagina.

This is completely painless, provides the sonographer with a clearer visualisation and more accurate diagnostic results.

The sonographer will ask you to empty your bladder before an internal scan so that you’re comfortable.

With the availability of affordable private ultrasound scans across the UK many women opt for additional ultrasound scans later in their pregnancy.

It is important that any ultrasound scan is completed by an appropriately-trained and registered healthcare professional and that the primary aim of any scan is for the health and wellbeing of both mother and baby.

These additional private scans have proven to be extremely effective in providing expectant parents with additional reassurance and identifying some anomalies not visualised during routine NHS screening. Expectant parents can sometimes find out the sex of their baby at their 20-week NHS ultrasound scan.

However, Window to the Womb clinics offer 99.9% accurate gender scans from as little as 16 weeks.

Many expectant parents opt to add gender identification to a wellbeing scan at 16-18 weeks to allow them to plan and bond with their baby.

Some parents even hold gender reveal parties after these scans to announce baby’s sex to their family and friends.

4D ultrasound rendering isn’t routinely offered by the NHS care and offer expectant parents the chance to see their baby’s features clearly.

It is a great addition to a wellbeing scan to improve parental bonding and is proven to be beneficial in visualising some abnormalities such as cleft lip.

With any additional service, the primary purpose of the scan remains the wellbeing of mother and baby.

These services should only be offered once the sonographer has performed diagnostic checks. Towards the end of a pregnancy many expectant parents opt to have a private growth and presentation scan.

In addition to the wellbeing checks, these scans can provide an estimated weight of baby and confirm baby’s position before labour. Window to the Womb and first Scan clinics are available in many places across the UK and provide private pregnancy scans from as little as six weeks gestation and only £55.

If you are expecting, you can find a full list of their scans and arrange your appointment at www.windowtothewomb.co.uk

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