At a Glance
| Also called | Viability scan, dating scan, first pregnancy scan, 6-week or heartbeat scan, USG early obstetric |
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| Usual timing | Commonly 6-10 weeks, counted from the first day of your last period; sooner if your doctor advises |
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| How it is done | Over the tummy; an internal (transvaginal) scan may be needed very early, only with your consent |
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| Radiation and contrast | None: it uses sound waves; no injection |
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| Preparation | No fasting; a comfortably full bladder usually helps (confirmed on WhatsApp) |
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| Scan time | Usually about 15-30 minutes |
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| Performed and reported by | Dr. Vaishnavi Bansal, MD (Radiology), FMF (UK) certified |
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| Report | Most reports the same day, sent to your WhatsApp |
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| Price | Exact price confirmed on WhatsApp before your visit |
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| Hours | Mon-Sat 8am-10pm, Sun 8am-5pm |
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What an early pregnancy scan shows
Prescriptions may call it a viability scan, dating scan, first-trimester scan, pregnancy sonography or USG early obstetric (in Hindi गर्भावस्था की सोनोग्राफी, in Marathi गरोदरपणातील सोनोग्राफी). It answers a few basic questions:
- Where the pregnancy is: inside the womb, rather than in a fallopian tube or elsewhere (an ectopic pregnancy)
- Whether there is a heartbeat: usually visible from about 6 to 7 weeks
- How many babies: one or more; with twins, the scan also shows whether they share a placenta, which is most reliably seen in the first trimester (before 14 weeks) and guides how closely they are monitored
- How far along you are: the baby's length from head to bottom (crown-rump length, CRL) gives the gestational age and due date
- Causes of symptoms: such as a small collection of blood beside the pregnancy sac (a common cause of spotting that often settles), an ovarian cyst or fibroids
Pregnancy weeks are counted from the first day of your last period, not from conception, so at "6 weeks" the pregnancy is about 4 weeks past conception (in a regular 28-day cycle).
When to have it: from the 6-week scan onwards
What can be seen depends on how far along you are:
- Before about 6 weeks: often only a small sac, or nothing yet. A scan this early is mainly for pain, bleeding or a higher risk of ectopic pregnancy, and often needs repeating.
- About 6 to 7 weeks: the heartbeat is usually visible, though an internal scan may be needed to see it clearly.
- About 7 to 10 weeks: the heartbeat and crown-rump length can usually be seen clearly, often over the tummy, which suits dating.
If you are already 11 weeks or more, your doctor may simply book the NT scan, which also confirms the heartbeat, number of babies and due date.
When doctors request it
Your gynaecologist may ask for a scan to confirm a positive pregnancy test, or sooner if:
- There is spotting, bleeding or cramping pain
- You have had an ectopic pregnancy, tubal surgery or a pelvic infection, or conceived with a Copper-T (IUCD) in place
- The pregnancy followed IVF or other fertility treatment, or you have had a miscarriage before
- Your dates are uncertain, for example with irregular periods or conceiving while breastfeeding
- Vomiting is severe (hyperemesis), when the scan also checks for twins and, rarely, a molar pregnancy (abnormal growth of pregnancy tissue)
Do not wait for a scan appointment. Go to a hospital emergency department straight away if you have heavy bleeding (soaking a pad in an hour or less, or passing large clots), severe or one-sided pain low in the tummy, pain in the tip of the shoulder, or you feel faint or dizzy. These can be signs of an ectopic pregnancy, a pregnancy growing outside the womb, which can cause internal bleeding and needs urgent treatment. An ectopic pregnancy can cause these symptoms even when there is little or no bleeding.
How to prepare
Our team confirms the exact preparation when you book on WhatsApp. As a general guide:
- No fasting is needed.
- Come with a comfortably full bladder: drink 2-3 glasses of water about 30 minutes before and try not to pass urine until after the scan. If an internal scan is needed, you will be asked to empty it first.
- Note the first day of your last period and, after IVF, your embryo transfer date.
- Bring your pregnancy test result, any beta-hCG blood reports, earlier scan reports and your doctor's prescription, if you have one.
- Wear a two-piece outfit (a kurta or blouse with trousers, a skirt or a salwar).
What happens during the scan
The scan is performed by the radiologist who reports it. You lie on your back, gel is put on your lower tummy and a small probe is moved over the skin. It is painless apart from some pressure on a full bladder.
Very early in pregnancy, or when the view over the tummy is unclear, an internal (transvaginal, TVS) scan gives much clearer pictures. It is done only with your consent: a slim probe with a clean protective cover is placed gently a short way into the vagina. It feels like mild pressure, it does not harm the pregnancy (even if you are bleeding), and you can ask to stop at any time.
The scan usually takes about 15-30 minutes, and you can return to normal activities straight afterwards.
What the scan cannot tell you yet
Some things have to wait for later scans:
- The baby is too small for a detailed check. The first closer look, with screening for Down syndrome and other chromosomal conditions, is the NT scan at 11 to 13+6 weeks, combined with a blood test (dual marker). Screening gives a chance (risk) figure, not a diagnosis.
- A detailed check of the baby's organs is the anomaly (TIFFA) scan at 18-22 weeks, though no scan can detect every problem.
- A heartbeat is reassuring, but no scan can promise how a pregnancy will progress.
When it is too early to tell: a small sac or no heartbeat yet often just means the pregnancy is earlier than your dates suggest. A miscarriage is not diagnosed from borderline measurements on one early scan; a repeat scan in about 7-14 days usually gives the answer. If the test is positive but no pregnancy is seen in the womb, your doctor may repeat a blood beta-hCG test 48 hours apart, with a scan, to check for an ectopic pregnancy. While you wait, go to a hospital emergency department if you develop pain, heavy bleeding or feel faint.
Your report and the next scans
Your report records, where they can be seen, the location of the pregnancy, the number of babies, the heartbeat, the crown-rump length, the gestational age and a scan-based due date. Most reports the same day, sent to your WhatsApp. The usual sequence of later scans is:
See all pregnancy scans at AV Scan.
Early pregnancy scan at AV Scan, Dadar West
Ground Floor (step-free entrance), Shilpa Apartment, Shankar Ghanekar Marg, Dadar West / Prabhadevi, near Shivaji Park and Siddhivinayak Temple. WhatsApp or call +91 98200 51511, or book online:
- Performed and reported by Dr. Vaishnavi Bansal, MD (Radiology), FMF (UK) certified, our radiologist for breast, women's and fetal imaging
- Ultrasound systems at the centre: GE Voluson E10 and Philips Affiniti 70G
- NT, anomaly (TIFFA) and growth scans are also done here, so later scans can be compared with this one
- Blood tests your doctor asks for, such as beta-hCG, are collected at the centre
- The exact price is confirmed on WhatsApp before your visit
- Cashless with most major insurers and TPAs; empanelled for CGHS, ECHS and MJPJAY (details)
- Open Monday to Saturday 8am-10pm and Sunday 8am-5pm
