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The purpose of the Advanced Early pregnancy scan is: To check the site of the pregnancy sac (Is the pregnancy inside the uterus?) To check for viability of the fetus (Is my baby’s heart beating?) To calculate fetal heart rate (How many beats per minute is the baby’s heart beating?) To check the baby’s growth by measuring the crown-rump-length (To determine accurate dates) To calculate the baby’s due date (What date is my baby due?) To count number of babies (Could I be expecting twins?) To identify and examine some of the main organs in the fetus (such as brain, face, heart, stomach, umbilical cord, bladder, arms and legs). The normality of these organs cannot be fully determined in the first trimester – however, if an obvious abnormality is identified you will be referred on to a fetal medicine specialist) To assess the amniotic fluid volume, placenta and umbilical cord vessels. To examine for obvious uterine and ovarian pathology Please note that this scan: Is not the Nuchal Translucency / first trimester screening / Down Syndrome scan Cannot exclude all chromosomal or anatomical abnormalities Cannot assess placental location or function as it is too early When to have an Advanced Early Pregnancy Scan? The Advanced Early Pregnancy Scan is carried out between 12 weeks 0 days – 13 weeks 6 days. Many couples decide to announce their pregnancy after 12 weeks scan as they have gained some reassurance about the well-being of their baby. Pictures and a video clip provided from the scan can of course add to the special announcement. How to prepare for an Advanced Early Pregnancy Scan? Please make sure that your bladder is moderately full for this scan. You don’t need to purposely drink water before your scan. Just try not to empty it for an hour before your appointment. What to expect from an Advanced Early Pregnancy Scan You will lie back while the sonographer puts a bit of gel on your abdomen and then move a transducer over your tummy. You will be able to see the scan on a big screen television in front of you so that you can see what the sonographer sees. As with the Early Pregnancy Scan, there is a small chance that a transvaginal scan may need to be performed in order to get a better picture of the baby and to examine some of the very small structures.