Introduction
Congratulations on your pregnancy! One of the most exciting milestones you’ll experience during this time is your first ultrasound scan, commonly known as the dating scan. In this article, we’ll explain the importance of this scan and how it contributes to your prenatal care, providing you with valuable information about your developing baby.
Purpose of the Dating Scan
The dating scan serves several essential functions in monitoring the health and progress of your pregnancy:
- Confirm pregnancy: The scan verifies the presence of a gestational sac, a yolk sac, and an embryo, thus confirming your pregnancy.
- Estimate the due date: The dating scan measures the crown-rump length of the embryo, providing an accurate estimated delivery date crucial for planning prenatal care.
- Check the number of embryos: The scan identifies single or multiple pregnancies and assesses the chorionicity and amnionicity in multiple pregnancies.
- Assess the fetal heartbeat: The scan ensures the presence of a fetal heartbeat and measures the heart rate, indicating a healthy pregnancy.
- Determine the location of the pregnancy: The scan confirms an intrauterine pregnancy and rules out an ectopic pregnancy, which can be life-threatening if not detected early.
Timing and Procedure of the Dating Scan
The ideal timing for a dating scan is between 8 and 14 weeks of pregnancy, ensuring optimal accuracy and providing valuable information about your pregnancy’s health. The procedure is typically performed using a transabdominal ultrasound, which requires a full bladder to improve visualisation. The obstetrician will apply gel to your abdomen to enhance sound wave transmission.
In some cases, a transvaginal ultrasound may be needed, particularly in early pregnancy. This procedure requires an empty bladder, and a probe is gently inserted into the vagina to obtain clearer images.
Rest assured that both procedures are non-invasive and generally painless, designed with your comfort in mind.
Accuracy of the Dating Scan
Dating scans performed during the first trimester are highly accurate, with an error margin of just 3-5 days. Compared to second- and third-trimester scans, this superior accuracy allows obstetricians to establish a reliable baseline for further prenatal care. Keep in mind that the accuracy of the scan may decrease as the pregnancy progresses due to variations in fetal growth and less precise anatomical measurements.
Benefits of the Dating Scan
Dating scans offer numerous benefits for expectant parents, including:
- Accurate estimated due date: This allows for better planning of prenatal care and helps obstetricians monitor fetal growth and development.
- Early identification of potential complications: The scan can detect ectopic pregnancies and other early pregnancy issues, allowing for timely management.
- Reassurance and emotional support: Visualising the developing fetus and confirming a healthy pregnancy can provide comfort and confidence to expectant parents.
- Improved planning of appropriate care: The dating scan helps tailor prenatal care based on individual needs and identifies potential complications early on.
Safety of Ultrasound Scans
For decades, healthcare professionals have safely used ultrasound scans without causing any known harmful effects on the fetus or mother. They utilise sound waves, not ionising radiation, ensuring that both you and your baby are safe during the procedure.
Conclusion
Your first ultrasound scan in pregnancy, the dating scan, plays a vital role in providing essential information about your baby’s health and progress. It offers reassurance and support, allowing you and your obstetrician to make informed decisions about your prenatal care. As you embark on this incredible journey, trust in the expertise of your obstetrician and enjoy the remarkable experience of witnessing your baby’s development.
Remember always to follow your obstetrician’s recommendations for prenatal care, and do not hesitate to ask questions or voice any concerns. Here’s to a healthy and happy pregnancy journey!
Additional Scans in Pregnancy
While the dating scan is a crucial part of your prenatal care, you may undergo other ultrasound scans throughout your pregnancy. These scans offer valuable insights into your baby’s growth, development, and overall health. Some of the other scans you might encounter include:
- Nuchal translucency (NT) scan: Performed between 11 and 14 weeks of pregnancy, this scan measures the fluid at the back of your baby’s neck, assessing the risk of chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome.
- Anomaly scan (also known as the mid-pregnancy scan): Conducted between 18 and 21 weeks of pregnancy, this scan examines your baby’s anatomy in detail, checking for any abnormalities and ensuring healthy development.
- Growth scans: Obstetricians may perform these scans later in your pregnancy to actively monitor your baby’s growth and well-being, especially when concerns arise about their development or if you have a high-risk pregnancy.
As you progress through your pregnancy, your obstetrician will guide you through the various scans and tests essential for your and your baby’s well-being. By attending all recommended appointments and following your obstetrician’s advice, you’ll take the best care of yourself and your little one during this extraordinary time.
Once again, congratulations on your pregnancy, and we wish you a beautiful and healthy journey ahead. Remember that you can always reach out to your obstetrician for support and guidance as you navigate this exciting period in your life.
References
- National Health Service. Ultrasound scans in pregnancy. [cited 2023 Apr 10]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/related-conditions/tests-and-scans/ultrasound-scans/
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Antenatal care for uncomplicated pregnancies. NICE guideline [CG62]. 2008 [updated 2019; cited 2023 Apr 10]. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg62
- Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Ultrasound scans in pregnancy. [cited 2023 Apr 10]. Available from: https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/patients/patient-leaflets/ultrasound-scans-in-pregnancy/
- Bottomley C, Bourne T. Dating and growth in the first trimester. BMJ. 2011;342:d3805. Available from: https://www.bmj.com/content/342/bmj.d3805
- Poon LC, Kametas NA, Maiz N, Akolekar R, Nicolaides KH. New charts for ultrasound dating of pregnancy and assessment of fetal growth: longitudinal data from a population-based cohort study. BJOG. 2012;119(5):613–22. Available from: https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1471-0528.12084
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Ultrasound exams. [cited 2023 Apr 10]. Available from: https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/ultrasound-exams
- Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Ultrasound screening. [cited 2023 Apr 10]. Available from: https://www.smfm.org/publications/90-ultrasound-screening
- Radiological Society of North America, American College of Radiology. Ultrasound—pregnant women. [cited 2023 Apr 10]. Available from: https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=pregnantus
