When to Have an Early Pregnancy Scan

By Maria Birch, UK-Registered Obstetric Sonographer

Last updated: 2nd July 2025

If you’re newly pregnant, one of the first questions that might cross your mind is:

“When should I book my first ultrasound scan?”

The answer depends on a few key factors—your dates, symptoms, preferences, and what you hope to learn from the scan. But as a general guide, you can often see your baby from around 6 weeks pregnant, and there are strong reasons to consider waiting until 8 weeks if you’re looking for clarity without stress.

Let’s walk through your options together, so you can decide what’s right for you.

What’s the Earliest You Can See a Baby on a Scan?

If you are:

• Fairly confident in your dates
• Having your scan with a qualified, experienced sonographer
• Using a modern, high-resolution ultrasound machine

… then it’s usually possible to see a pregnancy on scan from 6 weeks gestation (measured from the first day of your last menstrual period).

At this point, an early pregnancy scan may show:

• A small fetal pole
• A yolk sac
• Cardiac activity (your baby’s heartbeat)

Abdominal vs. Internal (Transvaginal) Scans: What’s the Difference?

If you’re hoping to avoid an internal scan, timing is especially important.

Abdominal Scan

This is the standard “on the tummy” scan that most people picture.

But at 6–7 weeks, your baby may be too small to see clearly through the abdomen alone.

• Clarity can be limited by abdominal fat, bowel gas, and a still-developing uterus position
• May not show a heartbeat clearly until around 8+ weeks

Internal (Transvaginal) Scan

An internal scan involves gently placing a sterile probe into the vagina. It offers:

• A much closer, clearer view at very early stages
• Greater chance of detecting heartbeat at 6–7 weeks

If you’re 6–7 weeks and want definitive answers, a transvaginal scan may be recommended. If you’d rather avoid it, waiting until 8 weeks increases the chances that an abdominal scan will be enough.

What If My Dates Are Off?

Early pregnancy dating can be tricky, especially if:

• Your cycles are irregular
• You’re unsure when you ovulated
• You recently stopped hormonal contraception

In these cases, it’s possible that you think you’re 6 weeks—but are actually earlier.

If you scan too early, you may not see what you hoped for. This can lead to:

• Uncertainty (“Is this a miscarriage or just too early?”)
• Follow-up scans a week or two later
• Increased anxiety, rather than reassurance

That’s why I often recommend waiting until you’re at least 7–8 weeks based on your last period—unless there’s a medical reason to scan sooner.

What Can You See on an Early Pregnancy Scan?

Here’s a simple breakdown of what early scans can typically show:

Keep in mind that an early pregnancy scan is not designed to check for organ development. That happens later, typically around 20 weeks.

When Is the First NHS Pregnancy Scan?

In the UK, your first routine NHS ultrasound is offered between 11 and 14 weeks, and is known as:

• The “dating scan” (used to confirm how far along you are)
• The “NT scan” (if you opt into combined screening for chromosomal conditions)

If you have symptoms such as pain, bleeding, or a history of miscarriage, your GP or midwife may refer you for an earlier scan through your local Early Pregnancy Unit (EPU).

What’s the Best Time to Book a Private Early Pregnancy Scan?

If you’re booking privately for reassurance, and:

• You want to avoid the anxiety of an inconclusive result
• You’d prefer to skip a transvaginal scan, if possible
• You want to reduce the chance of needing a repeat scan

… then 8 weeks is often the sweet spot.

It’s far enough along to give you a clear answer, but still early enough to ease your mind during that long first trimester wait.

Summary: When to Have an Early Pregnancy Scan

Final Thought: You Deserve Clarity and Reassurance

If you’re feeling anxious, unsure, or simply curious—it’s okay to want answers early on.

Just be aware that the earlier you scan, the more room there is for uncertainty.

With a compassionate, experienced sonographer and high-quality equipment, an early scan can be incredibly reassuring. But the right timing can make all the difference between peace of mind and lingering worry.

To help you plan your journey with confidence, download our free guide:

🎁 Your Pregnancy Scan Timeline

What to expect, when to book, and why each scan matters.

Maria Birch

UK-Registered Obstetric Sonographer

Trusted by thousands of women across the UK and beyond