im having my first scan on the 31st oct?

Question

what can i expect from it? x

Answer 1

Its fantastic, you see a little tiny bubba the size of your thumb with little tiny arms and legs. Drink lots of water for a good picture.

Answer 2

Well, depending on how many weeks you are, if you are past 10 weeks, you will be able to see the baby move, as well as hear a heart-beat.
The scan can check that your baby has a heartbeat and is developing normally. The baby’s head, limbs, hands and feet, and some organs can be seen, and - though looking for abnormalities isn't the purpose of the scan - some major problems can be seen at this early stage. You should still have a scan at about 20 weeks because more detail can be seen as the baby grows bigger.

The dating scan will also show if you're expecting twins, triplets or more. It’s helpful to know about twins early on, as it's easier to see whether or not they share a placenta. Finding out about having twins early in pregnancy also gives you more time to prepare for the birth and for your doctor or midwife to plan your care.

Knowing about twins early is also useful if you want to have a screening test for Down’s syndrome. This is because the usual test for Down’s is a blood test at about 16 weeks, and this test doesn’t work very well when there is more than one baby. Instead you will be offered a nuchal translucency scan. Read more about scans when you're expecting twins.

What happens during the scan?


The scan will take around five to 10 minutes. Nearly all scans after 10 weeks can be done through your tummy, and most units ask you to come with a full bladder. The sonographer will put some gel on your tummy and will move a small hand-held transducer over your skin to get views of the baby.

If your womb is very deep in your pelvis or if you're overweight, you may be offered a vaginal scan which can get nearer to the baby. It shouldn’t be uncomfortable, and a big advantage is that you don't need a full bladder.

You'll be given a report of the scan which will tell you exactly how many weeks you are. It's a good idea to keep it with your maternity notes so your midwife and anyone else involved in your care can see it.


How big will your baby be at the dating scan?


Your baby is measured from head to bottom. This measurement, known as the Crown Rump Length, is very accurate in the first trimester. After 13 weeks the baby can curl up and stretch out, so measuring the length becomes less accurate. The width of the head then becomes the best way to measure the baby.

• At 10 weeks it measures 3 cm

• At 12 weeks it measures 5-6 cm

• At 13 weeks it measures 7 cm

PS: CONGRATS & GOOD LUCK!!!

Answer 3

If you are passed 12 weeks, the tech will do an external scan. Which means she will put some gel on your belly and use the scanner to pick up soundwaves for the picture. The tech will take measurements of your baby's head, spine, arms, legs, etc. She will get a reading of the baby's heartbeat, and look for the major organs. A good tech will point everything out to you and explain what she is doing. If you are passed the 18 week mark, she will try to determine if baby is a boy or girl as well. If you don't wanna know, make sure you tell her. Usually, you will get a few still shots of the ultrasound to take home with you. If you are not passed 12 weeks, the tech will do an internal scan. She will insert a scanner into your vagina (its not too much bigger than a super size tampon) and will press on your uterus to get the pictures. If you are not far along, she will only be able to take the measurements of the crown to rump length, the heartbeat, and, if there, the yolk sac. Good Luck, Have fun!

Answer 4

A huge rush of relief when you finally see the little jelly bean on the screen!
depending how far along you are you may even see a tiny heart beating but thats pretty much it. It all looks a bit funny to tell you the truth. If you are closer to 12wks you might see the spine and arms and legs.
Remember to drink at least 1/2 litre (500ml's) of water so they can get a clear picture.
Find out if you can get a 4D ultrasound as these are just so clear and can be recorded on DVD for prosperity!

best of luck and congrats!

Answer 5

I had my first scan last Monday. You can expect to lie on a table, expose your tummy and the midwife/nurse will put a clear gel onto it. Then you will lie there for about 20 minutes while she rubs something that resembles a supermarket barcode scanner across your bump. You can see the pictures on the monitor she has but it's difficult to make out.

The nurse will tell you about your baby, that everything is OK etc and exactly (to the day) how pregnant you are. I was 20 weeks and 3 days.

It's a bit boring actually.

Answer 6

How far along will you be? This will make a HUGE difference in what you see. If you are only a few weeks then baby will look like a little peanut. If you are several weeks into your pregnancy then baby will look like a human :) If you are over 18 weeks theres a good chance that they can determine the sex of the baby. This is such an exciting thing to do.. even if baby dies only look like a peanut, it's still your little peanut growing inside of you. CONGRATS!

Answer 7

expect something amazing depending on how many weeks you are i had my first scan when i was 10 weeks and it was like a kidney bean in a sac but with all my others i was early on so i didn't see alot in one of them i saw nothing i was only 3 weeks gone but everything was fine just too early but the best scans are at 12 weeks and 20 weeks their more detailed you can see everything and Evan Wat it is at 20 weeks if they got there legs open which a few of mine didn't but it well worth bringing some1 so share the joy with good luck enjoy!!!

Answer 8

oh it is lovely, I did not find it boring at all.

All I would strongly suggest is PLENTY of water, more than they suggest as it makes it much clearer. You will feel like bursting for a while but the feeling is short lived.

Enjoy it, is truly is such a remarkable experience.

Answer 9

youll be able to see your baby. it will look more like a little bean but its magical to see the little person growing inside you.
good luck with your pregnancy

Answer 10

Your going to see your unborn baby for the 1st time and it's very exciting! congratulations and good luck!