46 Wimpole Street

Near the corner of Weymouth Street

London W1G 8SD

Call 020 7935 4450 (24/7)

Open 6 days inc late Thurs

Private Early Pregnancy Scan

From£150

Appointment Duration

 

5 to 11 weeks of pregnancy

Looking for a discreet appointment? We have an Early Pregnancy Clinic every Thursday evening from 6 - 9pm. More information here.

Click on a question or scroll down to read more.

Too much information? Click here for a quick guide to Early Pregnancy Scans.

What is an Early Pregnancy Scan?

When can I have an Early Pregnancy Scan?

Why is the Early Pregnancy Scan useful?

How accurate is an Early Pregnancy Scan?

What will I see at the Early Pregnancy Scan?

How does the Early Pregnancy Scan work?

When will I receive the results of my Early Pregnancy Scan?

Are there any other reasons to have an Early Pregnancy Scan?

Why should I have my Early Pregnancy Scan at The London Ultrasound Centre?

How do I book an Early Pregnancy Scan?

What is my next scan?

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What is an Early Pregnancy Scan?
An Early Pregnancy Scan is the very first pregnancy scan that you can have. Sometimes it is requested by a doctor or midwife to confirm that your pregnancy is healthy, ongoing and to calculate the date when your baby is due. It can be also performed to confirm the results of a pregnancy test kit.

Sometimes called a Viability Scan (to confirm the viability of your pregnancy), or Dating Scan (to date your pregnancy so you can plan your pregnancy diary), it is often done if you are not sure if you are pregnant or to provide reassurance in the very early stages of your pregnancy.

Early Pregnancy Scans are not usually offered on the NHS but you may have one privately without affecting your NHS entitlement.

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When can I have an Early Pregnancy Scan?
You can have an Early Pregnancy Scan any time from 5 weeks to 11 weeks and 1 day into your pregnancy. These dates are calculated from the first day of your last menstral period (LMP) not the day of conception. 

Before 5 weeks it is not possible to see any signs of pregnancy with current ultrasound technology.

After 11 weeks and 3 days your pregnancy has entered the window for the Nuchal Scan. If you do not wish to have the Nuchal Scan and screening for Down Syndrome an Early Pregancy Scan can be performed up to 14 weeks of pregnancy.

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Why is the Early Pregnancy Scan useful?
The Early Pregnancy Scan is useful because performed correctly it allows you to plan the next 42 weeks leading up to the birth of your baby by providing an Estimated Due Date (EDD).

All future pregnancy scans and fetal growth milestones are performed and measured against this timeline.

It is also useful to calculate when the 2 weeks and 3 days window for performing the Nuchal Scan will fall.

Many couples also find this scan very reassuring as the first positive confirmation that they will soon become parents.

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How accurate is an Early Pregnancy Scan?
When it comes to predicting exactly when your baby will be due or when it was conceived no ultrasound scan is 100% accurate. The Early Pregnancy Scan is usually accurate enough to provide you with an Estimated Due Date (EDD) to enable you to plan your pregnancy.

Generally the date of your EDD will not change unless a later scan predicts an EDD that is plus or minus 7 days of your original date.

Sometimes if the sonographer is unable to obtain an clear, accurate measurement you will be asked to return a week or two later when your baby will have grown larger to enable a more precise assessment.

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What will I see at the Early Pregnancy Scan?
Depending on the date of your pregnancy you may see either a pregnancy yolk sac, an early fetus and or some fetal heart activity.
  • 5 weeks | The pregnancy sac may be seen
  • 6 weeks | The early fetus or embryo may be seen
  • 7 weeks | Fetal heart activity begins. Your baby may have a recognisable form
  • 8 weeks and onwards | The outline of your baby is seen more clearly. Limb buds may be formed.

Generally your baby may not be seen before 6 weeks gestation.

If necessary the sonographer or consultant may send you for some blood tests to help determine if your pregnancy is healthy and in the correct location.

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How does the Early Pregnancy Scan work?
The sonographer or consultant will first try to scan you through your tummy (trans abdominally). With our latest technology high resolution ultrasound machine we are usually able to obtain a clear image using this technique.

If the image is unclear the operator will ask you to empty your bladder in preparation for a scan to be performed internally (trans vaginally).

This is not painful nor uncomfortable and is the best way to obtain clear images in early pregnancy.

You will be asked to remove all clothing from your lower half, a clean towel is provided to wrap around your waist, then once back on the examination counch a long, thin probe is inserted.

Performing an Early Pregnancy Scan this way is not harmful to you or your baby nor will it increase your chances of having a miscarriage.

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When will I receive the results of my Early Pregnancy Scan?
A medical report from your Early Pregnancy Scan will be available immediately after your appointment.

Please note that a pregnancy is only considered clinically viable when a regular fetal heart beat has been observed. If the operator has not indicated prescence of a fetal heart beat you will be advised to attend for a re-scan at a later date when viability is more likely to be confirmed.

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Are there any other reasons to have an Early Pregnancy Scan?
Yes, an Early Pregnancy Scan is also useful if:
  • You don’t know the date of your last period
  • You know you are pregnant and are bleeding or in pain
  • You think you may be miscarrying
  • Your doctor wants to make sure that the pregnancy is in your womb and not in your fallopian tube (called an ectopic or tubal pregnancy)

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Why should I have my Early Pregnancy Scan at The London Ultrasound Centre?
Having your Early Pregnancy Scan at The London Ultrasound Centre ensures you will receive a personal and discreet service at a time that suits you.

With appointments available on Saturdays and Thursday evenings you can confirm your pregnancy and plan your diary without revealing your personal news to friends, family or work colleagues.

We provide an accurate dating scan and produce a medical report that will be accepted by your NHS GP, midwife or consultant Obstetrician.

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How do I book an Early Pregnancy Scan?
For prices and to make a booking please see our online booking website.

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What is my next scan?
The next scan you should expect in your pregnancy is your first trimester Down Syndrome screening - either the 12 Week Nuchal Scan or an Integrated Test.