Wondering how soon to get an ultrasound? It can vary based on your unique pregnancy details and your medical provider. Some ultrasounds can detect pregnancy as early as seven to eight weeks.
Keep reading to learn more about how ultrasounds work and when you could possibly get one.
How Ultrasounds Work
An ultrasound is an imaging technique that confirms pregnancy details. It uses sound waves to create images of the pregnancy. No radiation is used.
There are two prenatal ultrasounds: transvaginal ultrasounds and abdominal ultrasounds. A transvaginal ultrasound uses a wand-like device placed inside the vagina. An abdominal ultrasound is completed by moving a device over your belly.
How Early Can Ultrasounds Detect Pregnancy
An early ultrasound (also called a first-trimester ultrasound or dating ultrasound) can be done as early as seven to eight weeks of pregnancy. Some providers perform early ultrasounds through transvaginal ultrasounds, while others wait until closer to 12 weeks. It simply depends on your provider.
Confirm Important Pregnancy Details
Before moving forward with a pregnancy decision, you will need an ultrasound to confirm three important pregnancy details, including:
- How far along you are (also known as gestational age)
- Your pregnancy’s viability (whether there’s a heartbeat & pregnancy is progressing)
- Your pregnancy’s location (whether your pregnancy is located within the uterus or not)
Some women experience pregnancy complications such as miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, which can be alerted to you with an ultrasound and then confirmed by a medical provider. An ultrasound is vital to safeguarding your health.
Get a Free Ultrasound
At Life Choices Family Resource Center, we provide free and confidential ultrasounds so you can get the answers to move forward with clarity.
Contact us at Life Choices FRC today to learn more and receive a free and confidential ultrasound after positive pregnancy test results. We’re here for you.