Early Pregnancy Scan

Gestation Required: 6-11 Weeks

Welcome to your very first baby scan! This ultrasound is an important step in your pregnancy journey. You need to be over 6 weeks pregnant to book the early pregnancy scan.
€120
Available at Bray, Dublin, Gorey

Information on Early Pregnancy Scan

The early pregnancy ultrasound scan provides crucial insights for expecting parents, allowing them to monitor the growth and development of their unborn child right from the beginning.

Why should I get an Early Pregnancy Ultrasound Scan?

Early pregnancy is a special time for many couples, and we understand the eagerness to see your baby as soon as possible. Our Early Pregnancy Scan is designed to provide reassurance, especially if you are uncertain about your dates, experiencing bleeding or pelvic pain, have concerns, or have noticed a disappearance of early pregnancy symptoms. 

What can an Early Pregnancy Scan show?

Our goal is to address your needs and provide clarity by:

Locations available for this ultrasound scan

Gorey

The Palms Centre
Block B 2nd Floor
The Avenue
Gorey
County Wexford
Y25 Y5P3

Dublin

Grafton Medical Centric Health
34 Grafton Street
Dublin 2
County Dublin
D02 XY06

Bray

Bray Women’s Health Centre
Bri Chualann Court
Adelaide Road
Bray
County Wicklow
A98N4C4

FAQ's

8-10 weeks is the best time to get an early pregnancy scan.  The crown rump length (CRL) can be measured easily at this stage and the fetal heart beat can be clearly seen. 

If your menstrual cycle is longer than 28 days it is advisable to wait until you are at least till 8 weeks from your LMP to confirm the viability as you may not be as far as your dates suggest.

You are required to have an adequately full bladder for your early pregnancy scan. There is certainly no need to be uncomfortably full. We suggest that you hydrate well and not empty the bladder one an hour before the scan.

There is a chance that a transvaginal scan may need to be performed in order to get a clearer view. Some patients prefer this method of scanning as the resolution of the image is better, improving the accuracy of the measurements and the clarity of the pictures. Feel free to request this as there is no extra charge.

During your ultrasound, we will:

  • Assess the position, size, shape and location of the gestational sac 
  • Exclude an ectopic pregnancy
  • Look for the presence of the fetus or multiples 
  • Measure the heart rate in m-mode (safe mode) to determine viability. There is no sound with m-mode
  • Take the crown-rump length (CRL) measurement, the most accurate way to date a pregnancy and provide you with a due date
  • Examine the uterus and ovaries for any pathology, such as ovarian cysts or fibroids

Finding out how far along you are and establishing an accurate due date early in your pregnancy is really important. It helps your doctors know when to give you the right care, schedule tests, check how your baby is growing, and plan for any issues that might come up before or after birth. An early viability scan is a reliable way to find out exactly how far along you are. 

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, and the Society for Maternal–Fetal Medicine recommend using ultrasound measurement in the first trimester as the most accurate method to establish or confirm gestational age. The earlier this measurement is performed, the more accurate the estimated gestational age and due date, provided the baby is developed enough to actually measure (6 weeks plus).

Take home Package

The ultrasound suite offers a fantastic package for expectant parents to take home after their pregnancy scan.

This comprehensive package includes a detailed ultrasound report and two glossy photograph printouts, capturing precious moments in high-quality images.

Additionally, digital pictures and a video clip of the scan are conveniently sent to you via SMS or email, ensuring that these cherished memories are easily accessible and shareable with loved ones.

Meet

Our Sonographers

Debbie Sudding
Deborah Sudding

Director and Clinical Specialist Sonographer

Deborah has been a qualified sonographer for over 18 years. As the Director, she is deeply committed to outstanding patient-centred healthcare, continually striving to enhance the quality of care through innovation and compassionate leadership. Her dedication ensures that every patient receives the highest standard of diagnostic imaging and personalised attention.
Danyelle Howard
Danyelle Howard Hill

Lead Clinical Specialist Sonographer

With over 14 years of experience, Danyelle Howard Hill excels in performing a diverse range of ultrasound examinations. Her commitment to compassion and professionalism sets her apart as a leader in the field. She sits on the management team as Lead Clinical Specialist Sonographer.
Diana Ciornei
Diana Ciornei

Clinical Specialist Sonographer

Diana Ciornei has over seven years of sonography experience, specialising in high-risk obstetrics and patient care. Her expertise extends to abdomen, gynaecological, small parts, and vascular studies. Diana’s strong communication skills enhance her ability to deliver quality diagnostic ultrasound examinations, ensuring optimal patient care.
Olesia
Olesia Cabric

Clinical Specialist Sonographer

Olesia Cabric is a highly skilled sonographer with extensive knowledge of complex perinatal cases. She also has a versatile background in abdomen, gynaecology, and vascular ultrasound exams. With eight years of sonography experience, Olesia is fluent in English and Russian and has a passion for travel.
Rebecca
Rebecca Falnes

Clinical Specialist Sonographer

Rebecca Falnes, a Johns Hopkins graduate, brings over eleven years of comprehensive experience in obstetrics, general, vascular, echocardiography, paediatrics, transplants, and ABI/TBI/PVR ultrasound exams. An avid hiker, Rebecca’s distinguished background includes service in the United States Air Force as a Korean Linguist and Intelligence Analyst.

Related Articles

What Is “Pregnancy Brain”?

When listening to friends and family discussing their pregnancies, you may have heard them jokingly refer to their “pregnancy brain” when they locked their keys into the car or completely blanked on a sibling’s name. Maybe you’ve noticed yourself becoming strangely forgetful, distracted or generally foggy-brained during your pregnancy. If

Read more

Is It Safe to Fly During Pregnancy? And Other Frequently Asked Questions
Are you a first-time parent with a lot of questions about what is safe during pregnancy? Have you been wondering if it’s ok to travel by plane or continue your beauty treatments? We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions and answers about safe activities during pregnancy. Don’t hesitate

Read more

Announcing Your Pregnancy and Some Fun Ideas!

It’s happening! You’ve had a positive pregnancy test, you’ve been to your first scan and all is well. It’s exciting and a little overwhelming; you’re torn between wanting to shout it to the world or to keep this special news to yourself and your partner. So where do you even

Read more

The Different Types of Ovarian Cysts

Ovarian cysts are very common and do not usually cause any symptoms. Cedars-Sinai estimates that 10% of women experience ovarian cysts, with many not even realising they have one, as most ovarian cysts occur naturally and go away in a few months without needing any treatment. What is an ovarian

Read more

What Is The Placenta And How Does It Work?

During a pregnancy ultrasound scan, the sonographer will always check the condition of your placenta alongside your baby. This is because the placenta is a crucial organ during pregnancy. The placenta itself, its formation and its functions are really incredible—it’s amazing what your body can do to create a healthy

Read more

What is a Nuchal Translucency Scan?

If you are currently in your first trimester of pregnancy, you’ve likely already started planning your medical appointments and are looking into all the different types of scans and testing available to you. One type of testing you may have spotted on our website is First Trimester Screening; a blood

Read more

How To Determine Your Due Date

Sometimes figuring out your due date can be confusing. There are several variables that can affect your dates, and everyone’s body is different and won’t necessarily follow a “normal” cycle. Here we will go over the best way to determine your due date and what it is based on. Last

Read more

What Can A Detailed Anomaly Scan Detect?

Congratulations, you’re almost halfway through your pregnancy! By now, your doctor may have recommended a Detailed Anomaly Scan. While the name may seem daunting, this is probably the most important scan during pregnancy and is an entirely routine part of the process. What is a Detailed Anomaly Scan? A Detailed

Read more

Planning Your Gender Reveal Scan

One of our most popular scans is the Gender Determination Scan, a full fetal wellbeing check that also determines the sex of the baby. This is a very exciting moment for first time parents—or those who may have eager siblings waiting at home for a gender reveal—so it’s incredibly important

Read more

When Should I Feel My Baby Move?

It is very common to wonder when you’ll finally get to feel your baby’s little movements and kicks during pregnancy. It’s not a straightforward answer and there are a few variables to take into consideration. The biggest factor is the location of your placenta. Where the placenta attaches is completely

Read more

Pregnancy and Nutrition

During pregnancy, your developing baby places additional demands on your body not least when it comes to how and what you should be eating. Hence, nutrition is something you need to pay special attention to from the early stages of pregnancy. You want to be sure your body is in

Read more

Pregnancy and Exercise. Should you do it?

Exercise is vital to help regulate the body and maintain health. In addition to keeping your body in shape, exercise ensures that your heart functions optimally, your foods are properly digested, and your respiratory system stays at its best. This will only become more important throughout, and immediately after, pregnancy

Read more

Detailed Anomaly Scan

What Is A Detailed Anomaly Scan? A Detailed Anomaly Scan is a detailed examination of your baby to make sure everything is developing as it should be, while also checking for birth defects like spina bifida and heart problems. The scan can also detect subtle markers that may suggest

Read more

Early Pregnancy Scan: What To Expect

Congratulations, you’re pregnant! It’s now time for you to start planning your first ultrasound scan. While it’s completely understandable that you want to book in and see your baby as soon as possible, there are a few things to keep in mind when looking at your dates. When it comes

Read more

Maternity Care: Public, Semi-Private and Private Options

Most women in Ireland get their maternity care for free through the HSE. While this is a great option, there are several other options available to choose from. The type of care available will depend upon how the pregnancy progresses, where the woman gives birth, and how much she would

Read more

The Different types of Early Pregnancy Scans

With the latest advances in technology there’s no such thing as just one set scan anymore. There are now a plethora of scans available to pregnant women that can be done at the different stages of their pregnancy. With so many different options it can often be hard to determine

Read more

All You Need to Know About Morning Sickness

Do you know 50% of women face morning sickness in their first trimester or initial 12-14 weeks of pregnancy? So, you are not alone if you are also feeling this way in the early days of your pregnancy.  Morning sickness, commonly known as ‘nausea’ or in severe cases ‘hyperemesis gravidarum’,

Read more

Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing – Harmony

A Harmony test is a non-invasive form of prenatal testing that analyses cell free fetal DNA in maternal blood to establish the risk levels of a baby being born with trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome) or trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome). The test identifies 99% of fetuses with

Read more

Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing – Panorama

What is Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing? Non-Invasive prenatal testing is an alternative to the traditional methods (amniocentesis and chorionic villis sampling) of prenatal screening. It is carried out through a simple blood test from the mother. It analyses fetal DNA in the mother’s blood stream for any abnormalities, genetic disorders and

Read more

What is an Ectopic Pregnancy?

Ectopic pregnancies account for 1 in 80 pregnancies. It occurs when a woman’s ovum, that has been fertilised, gets stuck somewhere else instead of moving down her fallopian tube to develop in the womb. Often the blockage occurs in the fallopian tube but there are also many other areas in

Read more

When Should I Book My First Ultrasound?

Your first pregnancy is an exciting time and getting to see your baby at your first scan is equally as exciting. When you find out that you are pregnant you may be wondering when the best time is to get an ultrasound scan. Many people wait until they are around

Read more

Book this scan

Skip to content