Pregnancy Scanning

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Windsor Medical Group offers a range of early Pregnancy Scanning

Services offered:

• Abdominal and Transvaginal Ultrasound Scanning

• Pregnancy viability ( Foetal wellbeing scanning)

• Pregnancy dating

• Order of Pregnancy (diagnosis of multiple pregnancies such a twins)

• Diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy (abnormally situated pregnancies)

Pregnancy Viability scanning

Many women experience bleeding, staining, spotting, abdominal pain or cramping in early pregnancy. These symptoms are of course very concerning and women often wish to have a scan (ultrasound scan) to determine if their pregnancy is alright (there is a foetal heart “heart beat” present).
These scans can be done in two ways depending on the gestation of the pregnancy (how many weeks pregnant you are).  If you are between 6 to 8 weeks pregnant, often the best type of scan is a transvaginal scan (internal scan).  This involves inserting a thin probe into the vagina to give a clear picture of the pregnancy.

From 8 weeks most pregnancies are visible with an abdominal scan or “Tummy” scan.  This involves placing some ultrasound “jelly” in the lower part of the abdomen (tummy) and placing a probe onto your skin to acquire a picture of your pregnancy. If you are having this scan it is often best that your bladder is as full as possible.

We review each women individually and will often try the more non invasive approach first i.e. “tummy” or abdominal scan first. Neither type of scan is harmful to your pregnancy or will affect the outcome.

Pregnancy dating

Some women are unsure of when their last period was and therefore do not know how “far on” they are in their pregnancy.  We can date your pregnancy accurately in the first half of pregnancy (up to 20 weeks).  This can be done accurately; to within 5 to 7 days up to 20 weeks gestation, however it is better to do this as early on as possible i.e. in the first trimester (the first 12 weeks).  Accurate dating of your pregnancy is very important, so that your obstetrician can manage the rest of your pregnancy well.

Order of Pregnancy (Number of babies you are carrying)

There may be a family history of multiple pregnancies (twins or triplets), or you may have undergone assisted reproductive treatments such as Clomiphene citrate “Clomid”, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), ovarian stimulation to help you conceive.
The above can increase your chance of conceiving higher order or multiple pregnancies such as a twin pregnancy. It is again very important that your obstetrician knows as soon as possible in your pregnancy whether or not you are carrying a multiple pregnancy, so they can manage  your care safely.

Diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy

Some women have had an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy occurring outside the womb often on the fallopian tube) in the past; these women have an approximate 10% chance of this occurring in subsequent pregnancies. This is again an issue of great concern for these women. The vast majority of subsequent pregnancies fortunately are normally sited i.e.  intrauterine (occur in the womb). We can usually determine that your pregnancy is normally situated i.e. within your womb by 6 weeks.

If you have had an ectopic pregnancy in the past we would recommend you have an ultrasound scan as soon as you know you are pregnant

Nuchal Translucency.

Our group does not currently offer Nuchal Translucency scanning (an ultrasound test to check for “Down’s syndrome” done between 10 to 14 weeks of pregnancy).  We hope to offer this service in the near future. We have close professional relationships with specialists who do provide this service and are more than happy to refer you on to them.

All of the Windsor Medical Group consultants have years of experience and expertise in early pregnancy scanning.  They will explain the scan findings very simply to you and counsel you with understanding, at this often very stressful period of your pregnancy.