The results of ultrasound testing provide you and your health care provider with critical information about you and your baby. See below for descriptions of the information gathered from these two types of ultrasounds. Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the inside of the body. The technique does not use any radiation.
Your first ultrasound scan should be performed in your first trimester of pregnancy. This can be seen as early as 5 to 6 weeks of pregnancy. Visualising the pregnancy in the womb is reassuring, because it confirms that it is in the right location. Sometimes, your doctor may use a vaginal probe for the scan when your pregnancy is about 5 to 6 weeks. Be assured that vaginal scanning is safe and will not harm your pregnancy in any way. The current gestation age of your pregnancy can be calculated by taking measurements of your baby during the scan Table
A dating scan is an ultrasound examination which is performed in order to establish the gestational age of the pregnancy. Most dating scans are done with a trans-abdominal transducer and a fullish bladder. If the pregnancy is very early the gestation sac and fetus will not be big enough to see, so the transvaginal approach will give better pictures. Dating scans are usually recommended if there is doubt about the validity of the last menstrual period.
We use cookies to help us improve your experience and to provide services like web chat. We also use cookies to measure the effectiveness of public health campaigns and understand how people use the website. To find out more about cookies and how we use them, please see our privacy policy. All pregnant women in Ireland are offered a dating scan.