You’ll be invited for your 12-week scan after you’ve reached the 12-week mark of your pregnancy.
This is most likely the first time you’ll be able to see your child, and it’s the most thrilling pregnancy milestone so far.
This milestone scan will use high-frequency sound waves from a probe across your abdomen to create a 2D picture of your baby, enabling you to see your baby for the first time!
It’s also known as a dating scan since it may tell you how far along your baby is and when they’ll be due.
So, what can you expect from your ultrasound at 12 weeks?
When will my first pregnancy scan be presented to me? Between 10 and 14 weeks of pregnancy, the NHS provides all pregnant women with an ultrasound scan, which is commonly done at 12 weeks.
The sonographer can view your baby and calculate their gestational age and due date using the 2D picture from the scan, so you’ll have an idea of when they’re due, which is why it’s commonly referred to as a dating scan! All of their organs, muscles, limbs, and bones are visible.
Who is willing to accompany me during the scan?
You must choose who you wish to accompany you to your scan.
Most of the time, you’ll want to bring your spouse, but if that isn’t possible, consider bringing a friend or family member.
The assistance is quite beneficial. Children are not advised to attend the scan, however, if you are unable to arrange childcare, please contact the hospital.
During the 12-week scan, what happens?
- You’ll be escorted to a private room and instructed to lie down on a bed.
- Because the sonographer will want you to reveal your baby bump, it’s a good idea to dress in loose-fitting, easy-to-pull-up clothing.
- The sonographer will apply gel to your stomach and glide a hand-held transducer instrument across your skin.
- The gel ensures that your skin and the gadget establish excellent contact. To protect your clothes from the gel, the sonographer will wrap tissue paper over you.
- On the ultrasound screen, a black-and-white picture of your baby will show, which the sonographer will position so that they have a good look. There will be some pressure, but it should not be uncomfortable.
- If your womb is very deep in your pelvis or if you are overweight, you may be offered a vaginal scan instead.
- The sonographer will be able to get closer to your baby with this sort of scan.
Will I find out my baby's gender at 12 weeks?
The 12-week scan is typically only to assess if your baby is healthy and growing normally, and while the sex organs are well-formed, it’s usually too early to detect them at that age, so you’ll have to wait until the 20-week scan.
Some people, however, believe in the nub hypothesis, which states that the angle of the genital nub on your kid may be used to discern the gender of your baby from the first ultrasound images.
If it’s inclined away from the body, you’re expecting a boy, and if it’s horizontal to the spinal cord, you’re expecting a girl.
What if an issue is discovered at the 12-week scan?
The 12-week scan is your baby’s first chance to be screened for any malformations that might suggest a developmental concern.
If a problem is discovered, you’ll be directed to a prenatal medicine expert for confirmation of the results, as well as additional tests and suggestions for the rest of your pregnancy.
Scans provide no danger to your pregnancy and provide you with those first wonderful views of your unborn baby, as well as the assurance that your baby’s growth is progressing normally.
If no anomalies are discovered during the scan, you should receive the findings right away.
When is the next scan scheduled?
Your next ultrasound after your 12-week scan won’t likely be until you’re 20 weeks pregnant when you’ll have your abnormality scan.
If you want to know if you’re having a boy or a girl, now is a good time to find out.
