Viability scans are the first ultrasounds of pregnancy. It confirms that your pregnancy is developing as it should, gives an accurate due date, detects the baby's heartbeat, and reveals whether you are carrying one baby or more. For many women, it is also the first chance to see their baby on the screen.
When do viability scans happen?
Viability scans are performed from 6-10 weeks of pregnancy. The exact timings are usually decided based on your last menstrual period and any symptoms you have, with most appointments scheduled between 7 and 9 weeks for the clearest images. Most patients have more than one viability scan to check progression.
If you have previously miscarried or experienced bleeding in this pregnancy, an earlier dating scan can be particularly reassuring. Reassurance scans can also be arranged earlier if symptoms or concerns mean that you need to be assessed.
What are viability scans for?
The purpose of viability scans are to:
- Confirm that your baby is developing normally in the first trimester of pregnancy
- Date your pregnancy in order to estimate when your baby is due
- Reveal if you are carrying one baby, twins, or more
- Detect your baby's heartbeat
- Rule out the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy
- Confirm that the baby is developing in the correct place within the uterus
What happens during my appointment?
The scan is painless as ultrasound uses sound waves only, with no radiation, so is safe for both you and your baby.
In early pregnancy, the gold standard scan is usually transvaginal because it gives the clearest view at this stage. Depending on the position of your uterus and how many weeks pregnant you are, an abdominal scan may also be used. Dr Duncan will explain which approach is most appropriate for you before the scan begins.
The appointment usually takes 15-30 minutes and you will see the live images on the screen as the scan progresses, and Dr Duncan talks through what he is looking at as he goes.
What happens if something is unexpected?
If anything unexpected is identified during the scan, Dr Duncan will discuss it with you fully at the same appointment. Dr Duncan is a sub-specialist in maternal and fetal medicine, and most early-pregnancy findings can be assessed and explained on the spot, with any further investigations arranged from there.
Booking your viability scan
To book your early pregnancy consultation and viability scan (from 6 weeks) with Dr Duncan, please contact the practice or book online. The standalone fee for this consultation and scan is £350.
For more information on all the scans available through pregnancy, see Ultrasound Baby Scans.
Viability scans are often booked by patients who want reassurance in early pregnancy. If you are worried about miscarriage risk, you may also find Dr Duncan's article What is my risk of miscarriage? helpful.