If your first ultrasound is earlier than seven weeks, the baby is often so small that it’s hard to see with a traditional abdominal ultrasound. Instead, you will have a transvaginal ultrasound, where they insert a tampon-length transducer (ultrasound wand) into the vagina to see the fetus.

Location of the embryo

The technician is looking at whether the embryo implants in the uterus. If it implants outside of the uterus, this indicates an ectopic pregnancy, which happens when a fertilized egg implants in the fallopian tube or somewhere besides the uterus. Where the embryo implants is also important as it can be higher or lower in the uterus.

Number of fetuses

The technician is looking for multiple embryos or sacks to tell if you’re having twins (or more!).

Yolk sac

At this early stage, the sonographer will be looking for a yolk sac, which is attached to the baby like a balloon to provide nourishment, explains Kinnear. Sonographers look at the size and shape of the yolk sac (it’s an indicator of the baby’s health), which eventually goes away at around 12 weeks.

When can you see a heartbeat?

The sonographer may or may not be able to detect a heartbeat, depending on how far along you are, says Wilson. The earliest you can see a heartbeat is at five weeks and two days gestation, says Kinnear. Even then, sonographers often only see a heartbeat in 20 percent of early dating scans. While it may be nerve-racking, your doctor will likely send you for a repeat scan in one to two weeks to re-evaluate, says Kinnear. (If your doctor breaks out a Doppler to use on your tummy, you might also be able to hear the heartbeat but probably not until at least 10 weeks. But most ppl won’t till after 14weeks or more ( I found mine baby’s heart beat @ ( 13w) easily ,

What can they tell you at the ultrasound?

Don’t freak out if the technician doesn’t say much. Depending on the province and medical clinic, they may or may not be able to give you details about your baby, such as heartbeat and size. Most clinics will fax the results to your doctor for a follow-up appointment. If there’s a concern, they may get you to speak to someone right after your ultrasound appointment.

6 week ultrasound

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