Your first pregnancy scan is an exciting milestone and often the moment that pregnancy starts to feel real.
Many parents feel a mixture of excitement and nerves before their scan. It's completely normal to wonder whether everything is progressing as expected. Remember that every pregnancy is unique, and the purpose of the scan is to gather information that helps your maternity team support you throughout your pregnancy. Feel free to ask questions during the appointment, understanding what’s happening can help put you at ease.
In the UK, the first routine ultrasound scan usually takes place between 11 and 13 weeks of pregnancy. This scan is called the dating scan because it helps estimate your baby's due date. You may be asked to attend with a full bladder, as this can help improve the quality of the images. The scan itself is usually painless and takes around 20–30 minutes.
During the appointment, the sonographer (the person performing the scan) will check your baby's heartbeat, measure their growth and confirm whether you are expecting one baby or more! You will also be offered a type of screening called trisomy screening. This tests for 3 different genetic conditions and is done by taking lots of measurements of baby, and a blood test from you. The screening test is optional, so it is worth knowing if you would like the test or not before you go to the scan.
The first scan is often a memorable moment, whether it's seeing your baby move for the first time or hearing that everything is developing well. Soak in every moment!
