What To Expect In Your 7-Week Pregnancy Scan Report?

Introduction

Pregnancy is a beautiful journey that gives the mother bonding time with the fetus. A 7-week pregnancy scan may be done for various reasons during the 7th week. The ultrasound report of the 7-week pregnancy will help the doctor estimate the due date of the fetus. This article will shed further light on what can be expected in a 7-week pregnancy scan report.

You may like : What Is Anomaly Scan- A Complete Guide (mylofamily.com)

Reasons for this Scan

A 7-week pregnancy scan is also called a "dating scan" because it helps to calculate how far into the pregnancy the mother is. Though it is not routinely carried out, it may be recommended by the doctor for the following reasons:

• To confirm the fetal heartbeat in case of bleeding or spotting complaints.
• To carry out measurements to ensure that the size of the fetus is accurate for the gestational age (how much the pregnancy has advanced).
• To detect abnormalities in the fetus by comparing its growth with the gestational age.
• To calculate the gestational age if the mother has a history of irregular periods.
• To carry out scans of the reproductive system, to identify and eliminate any issues with the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, or cervix. Any anomalies detected can be treated as per the doctor's recommendations.
• To rule out ectopic pregnancies (when the embryo implants outside the uterus), which can be life-threatening if left untreated.

The Procedure of taking a 7-week Ultrasound

The procedure of a 7-week pregnancy ultrasound can be followed in two ways, either via an abdominal approach or a transvaginal approach.

• The transvaginal approach is routinely used early in the pregnancy to improve better visibility of the fetus and internal reproductive organs. The technician inserts the transducer (the ultrasound probe) into the vagina till it reaches the cervix. This is then adjusted till the necessary images and measurements are captured. Though uncomfortable, it is not harmful to the mother or the fetus.
• The transabdominal approach is not routinely performed at such an early time in the pregnancy. However, if it is performed, the mother must ensure that she has a full bladder before beginning the procedure. A transducer will be used on the abdominal skin. A small amount of gel will be applied to ensure smooth and easy movement of the transducer. The technician will move the transducer in all directions till appropriate images and details are gathered.

Both these procedures take around 15-20 minutes. Though a little uncomfortable, they are safe as they do not involve radiation.

Measurements are taken at the 7-week Pregnancy Ultrasound

Besides detecting the fetal heartbeat, specific measurements taken at the 7-week pregnancy ultrasound will help the doctor get a clearer picture of the fetal development and the gestational age, as well as signs of abnormalities or complications. The size of the gestational sac (fluid-filled cavity surrounding the embryo) and the embryo's size will be calculated.

Normal measurements for a 7-week pregnancy scan include a gestational sac of around 18 to 24 millimetres (mm) and an embryo of around 5 to 9 mm. If the measurements of the gestational sac are below 18 mm, it is interpreted as a reduced gestational age of around 5 to 6 weeks instead of 7 weeks. However, one should bear in mind that ultrasounds do not stand for perfect science and depend on aspects like the fetus's position and the technician's skill. If abnormalities are detected in the 7-week pregnancy scan report, the doctor may advise the mother to repeat the scan after 1 to 2 weeks.

Visualizations in a 7-week Pregnancy Ultrasound

Though one may not be able to identify the parts of the fetus, a heartbeat will ensure the viability of the fetus. Apart from the heartbeat, a 7-week pregnancy ultrasound will also reveal the following:

• Gestational sac

The gestational sac appears as a dark circular or oval shape. It forms at 5 weeks and can be visualized at a 7-week pregnancy ultrasound.

• Yolk sac

The yolk sac develops within the gestational sac. The yolk sac is helpful as it provides the fetus with oxygen and nutrients until the development of the placenta. It appears as a small bubble or white ring inside the gestational sac.

• Fetal pole

It appears as a thick, white shape attached to the yolk sac. The shape depends on the week of gestation. With the help of transvaginal ultrasound, it can be detected and visualized as early as six weeks. It is within this fetal pole that the heartbeat is visualized and heard.

Conclusion

A 7-week pregnancy ultrasound is essential to identify the gestational age, reproductive health of the mother, and the progress and development of the fetus. It is helpful to know beforehand why a 7-week pregnancy scan is required and the deductions that can be made from the 7-week pregnancy scan report.

References:

1. Murugan VA, Murphy BO, Dupuis C, Goldstein A, Kim YH. (2020). Role of ultrasound in the evaluation of first-trimester pregnancies in the acute setting. NCBI

2. The Birth Company. Week 7 of pregnancy (Days 49-55). thebirthcompany.co.uk

Popular Articles

Trending Articles