Viability scan - the first ultrasound scan during pregnancy

Why you need a viability scan

The viability scan is usually done between 6 to 10 weeks of pregnancy when the first home pregnancy test shows a positive result. All scans done during pregnancy are carried out abdominally though sometimes the viability scan may need a vaginal probe, as it would be difficult to judge the health and status of the foetus abdominally during such early gestation.

What is the aim of this scan:

• To determine if the pregnancy is progressing normally, that is, if the foetus is placed within the womb.
• To know if you are carrying twins (have multiple foetus within).
• To check for a heart beat in the foetus. Detecting a heart beat confirms that the baby shows presence of a cardiac cavity. The foetal heart beats for the very first time after 22 or 25 days of gestation.

Who should go for the scan: 'Ideally any woman who has found out about her pregnancy should opt for this scan to be sure before making the announcement. Also women with previous history of miscarriages or ectopic pregnancies (where a fertilized egg positions it outside the uterus) should get a viability scan done,' says Dr Shantala Vadeyar, consultant obstetrician, fetal & maternal medicine, specialist, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital. If you experience pain or bleeding during those initial days after finding out about your pregnancy through a home pregnancy test kit, go for a viability scan to check on the status of the foetus and progression of your pregnancy.

You may also like to read:

• Ultrasounds during pregnancy - all you need to know
• The importance of NT scan
• What is anomaly scan
• What is fetal well being scan?
• What does fetal echocardiography mean?

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