Multiple appointments to the doctor’s office and going for ultrasounds again and again might seem little uncomfortable and overwhelming – especially if this is your first time being conceiving a child.
But, unfortunately, it cannot be helped. You want to do everything in your power to ensure a happy and healthy arrival of the new member of the family, and an ultrasound is the process to that happiness. So, what to expect from an Ultrasound At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
Most ultrasounds before a 12 weeks of pregnancy are done to determine the due date and for the risk assessment of the baby and the pregnant woman. If you have an appointment with the sonographer during an 8 weeks pregnant, knowing the facts present in this article might help.
Key Takeaways
| Pregnancy Scan | Ultrasound At 8 Weeks Pregnant |
| Time Taken | 45 minutes at the least. |
| Purpose | Confirm pregnancy. Find out fetal heartbeat. Estimate the due date. Confirming multiple pregnancies. Finding out the gestational sac. |
Ultrasound At 8 Weeks Pregnant: Why Is It Important?
An ultrasound during the 8th week of pregnancy helps confirm the pregnancy and estimate the due date, and even, to some degree, helps to confirm the baby’s heartbeat. It may also help identify if the pregnancy is in the uterus by locating the gestational sac and the fetal pole.
An ultrasound after two weeks of conception can show positive signs of pregnancy. However, knowing how far along you are is not as easy. The fetus has a consistent growth rate during the first and the early phase of the second trimester. So, you must wait at least 9 weeks and two days for an ultrasound to confirm a due date. Yes, even a 9 week ultrasound may be necessary.
However, if you had previous visits to the sonographer and had a 5 weeks ultrasound or a 7 weeks ultrasound, you are bound to have some experience. This is because a 5 weeks ultrasound helps to locate the gestational sac, while an Ultrasound At 8 Weeks Pregnant confirms the fetal heartbeat.
To simplify, the 8 week ultrasound helps with –
- Confirming the fetal heartbeat.
- Locating the gestational sac.
- Confirming the pregnancy and determining the due date by calculating the gestational age.
- Also, if the pregnant person has bleeding issues, an ultrasound during 8 weeks of pregnancy can help pinpoint it.
- Checking for multiple pregnancies.
- Also, an ultrasound of 8 weeks of pregnancy can help measure the embryo’s size.
Although a fetal heartbeat may be visible as early as the 6th week of pregnancy, an ultrasound at 8 weeks pregnant can help confirm it.
What To Expect From An Ultrasound At 8 Weeks Pregnant?
8 weeks is too early to see any conspicuous development of the fetus. But brace yourself; you will catch the first glimpse of your little joy. The sonographer might do a transvaginal ultrasound to see fetal development.
At first, you will not see much noticeable development. But little figures in the shape of oblong beans will appear on the screen. Also, if you are expecting twins, you will see two similar figures on the screen. This is because the head and the body have the same size during this period.
An 8 weeks pregnancy ultrasound also helps you see the gestational sac and the yolk sac. Also, based on their locations, you could see the fetal heartbeat.
Risks & Rewards Of An Ultrasound At 8 Weeks Pregnant
No, it is not the ultrasound that is risky or rewarding. But it can help doctors get information regarding pregnancy. It helps identify an ectopic pregnancy and early signs of miscarriage. An ultrasound at 8 weeks of pregnancy can help point out different risks or rewards detailed out here–
Rewards
- Confirm pregnancy.
- Find out a fetal heartbeat.
- Estimate the due date.
- Confirming multiple pregnancies.
- Finding out the gestational sac.
Risks
- Not getting any fetal heartbeat.
- Seeing any embryonic/fetal abnormalities.
- Finding out signs of a miscarriage.
Reasons Why A 8 Weeks Ultrasound Is Not Showing Fetal Heartbeat
A 8 weeks ultrasound might not always show a fetal heartbeat. If you have such experience, it does not mean that it is the end of the world. It could also mean that you miscounted the date of the conception.
- So, if your calculation of the days of ovulation is off and if you conceive later than you assume, it will lead to an early ultrasound – which will not reveal a result showing fetal heartbeat.
- Another reason for not getting any heartbeat from a 8 weeks ultrasound might be associated with any larger anatomic issues with the uterus. Or could also have large fibroids, which make the ultrasound more difficult.
Also, if you encounter any signs of miscarriage or embryonic abnormalities, the doctor can recommend treatment and medication accordingly. Although you might have an initial projection of your due date by calculating according to your menstrual cycle, it might not be completely accurate.
Physicians calculate the gestational age, determining the due date by measuring the fetus. However, it helps to check the pregnancy symptoms week by week to stay updated and ahead of any medical emergencies.
Bottom Line
As explained before, if an ultrasound at 8 weeks pregnant does not reveal the expected result (a fetal heartbeat, for example), you should wait until an ultrasound at 12 weeks of pregnancy. This is because ultrasounds 12 weeks help most accurately calculate how far along you are. But, if your physician thinks an ultrasound at eight weeks is necessary, you should get it done ASAP.
Hopefully, you found the information you were looking for. However, if you need any further help, you can go to the comment section and leave your query. We will try to respond as soon as possible.
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