How soon do I need to see a doctor if I'm pregnant?

Early pregnancy care is one of the topmost requirements for a healthy and safe pregnancy. As such, schedule a prenatal (or antenatal) appointment with your doctor as soon as you find out you are pregnant to discuss prenatal care options.

When does the first prenatal visit to the doctor take place?

Typically, your first prenatal doctor’s appointment will take place in the second month i.e. between week 6 and 8 of pregnancy.

What are some of the symptoms during pregnancy that requires immediate doctor’s visit?

Those experiencing the following symptoms require immediate medical help. This includes vaginal bleeding, high-fever, pain during urination, excessive nausea and headaches, excessive itching or sudden swelling of hands, feet and face.

How can I reassure myself in early pregnancy?

For first time parents and those who have experienced complications earlier during pregnancy, having an early reassurance scan is important. This will help alleviate your concerns and you’d be able to clear any doubts regarding your pregnancy with the gynaecologist. An early scan for reassurance during pregnancy will help the doctor check the positioning of the baby, assess ovaries and pelvic area and trace the heartbeat. You’d also be able to check whether it’s a single pregnancy or it’s twins. You can book an early pregnancy scan for as early as 7 weeks into your pregnancy.

Is seeing a heartbeat at 6 weeks a good sign?

Yes. During the early pregnancy scan, the heartbeat of the fetus may be detected after 5 to 6 weeks. This shows that the fetus is healthy. However, while seeing a heartbeat at 6 weeks is a good sign, sometimes it can also be detected at 8 or even 10 weeks which is normal.

Will I see my baby on an ultrasound at my first prenatal visit?

Yes. Some doctors do a prenatal ultrasound on your first prenatal visit as it is a more precise way to know the term of your pregnancy. Whereas, some doctors may wait up to 6 weeks for a thorough ultrasound.

How should I prepare for my first pregnancy appointment?

On your first pregnancy appointment, the gynaecologist will ask you about a few basic things such as personal medical history, gynaecological/obstetrical history, mental health history, among others. So, you need to prepare for this. If you have travelled abroad recently, let you doctor know as there might be chances of potential disease exposure. Let him/her know about any allergies you might have or medications that you are on. Family history of any particular illness should also be discussed with the doctor. Most importantly, make a note of all the things you want to ask/clarify regarding your pregnancy.

How frequently should you undergo pregnancy scans during your first trimester?

During the first trimester of pregnancy, it is common for expectant mothers to undergo a series of prenatal checkups and scans to monitor the health and development of the foetus. The specific frequency of these scans can vary depending on various factors, including the individual’s medical history and any potential complications.

Can I bring my partner or a family member to the early pregnancy scan?

Yes, it is generally encouraged to bring your partner or a family member to the early pregnancy scan. Many healthcare providers understand the significance of this moment for expectant parents and allow support persons to accompany the pregnant individual during the scan. However, it’s important to check with your healthcare provider or the imaging facility beforehand to confirm their specific policies regarding accompanying individuals. It’s always a good idea to inquire in advance to ensure that your partner or family member can attend the private pregnancy scan with you.

How to book an early pregnancy scan?

To book a private early pregnancy scan in London, you can visit our contact page, where you’ll find various options to get in touch with us or to set up an appointment. Choose the option you feel is the most appropriate and easiest for you.

What is the next pregnancy scan after the early pregnancy scan?

The next private internal pregnancy scan after the early scan will probably be the Nuchal translucency ultrasound. A Nuchal translucency ultrasound is a pregnancy scan that can be conducted between the 10th to 13th Week of pregnancy, which occurs in the first trimester. This scan focuses on the development of the back of the foetus’ neck, determining if the baby has any issues such as Down syndrome and other disabilities. This test includes more than a pregnancy scan. It also includes a blood test for measuring hormones and proteins.

Private Pregnancy Scan & Early Pregnancy Clinic In London

As a private well woman clinic, we understand that Pregnancy is a glorious time in a woman's life. However, it does come with its own challenges. From a single cell to an embryo to a full-grown foetus, the cycle of giving birth can be overwhelming and tough at times, especially for those undergoing miscarriage treatment. As such, to make this time special and as stress-free as possible for you, we offer enhanced support during pregnancy along with private early pregnancy scan & tests that ensure you have an amazing experience during pregnancy.

Staying healthy during pregnancy includes a lot more than just eating right, exercising and avoiding alcohol, caffeine and other junk foods. You also need proper medical care in order to ensure that you and your growing child gets the required nutrients which are essential to avoid any complications further down the line. As an early pregnancy assessment clinic in London, we offer support at every step of the way and monitor signs during a series of prenatal visits to ensure your pregnancy is going exactly as it should.

What Is An Early Pregnancy Scan? What Is The Best Time To Have An Early Pregnancy Scan?

An early pregnancy scan is an early ultrasound conducted by a medical professional to assess the development and viability of the pregnancy in its early stages. Typically, it is performed between 6 to 12 weeks of gestation, although the ideal time for each may vary based on individual patient circumstances.

First and foremost, early pregnancy scans are necessary because they can help confirm the pregnancy. The scans can also help verify whether the development of the foetus is as expected.

Furthermore, an early pregnancy scan is also necessary for the following reasons:

It can help you monitor the pregnancy throughout the first trimer, ensuring your baby is brought to full term.
It can help your doctor calculate the conception date, helping them find a more precise delivery due date.
It can help early detection of ectopic pregnancy, ensuring your doctor can offer timely treatment.
It can also help you determine if you are going to have a single child or multiple births, such as twins or triplets.

You can obtain all of the above information from an early pregnancy scan.

As a professional gynaecologist in London, Mr N. Agarwal offers Prenatal Screening Tests that help determine if there is any risk involved in pregnancy, or if there is any birth defect or if there is any risk of chromosome abnormality. At our early pregnancy walk-in clinic, we offer assistance at all times and our prenatal screening includes ultrasound tests as follows:

6 Weeks (Placement Scan)
8 Weeks (Viability and Dating Scan)
10 Weeks (Scan with the IONA^® test)
13 Weeks (Review Prior to Sign-off Scan)

Following the result from the above tests and sometimes, due to a patient’s medical history, additional tests might be required/recommended and may include the following routine Antenatal Blood Tests:

Full Blood Count (FBC).
Blood Group and Rhesus Type.
Screening for HIV and Syphilis.
Screening for Hepatitis B & C and Haemoglobin Electrophoresis (Thalassaemia).
Screening for Rubella (German Measles) and Toxoplasma.
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT).
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Test (TSH).

As an early pregnancy clinic, we also offer other treatments for women such as heavy periods treatment and endometriosis treatment. Thus, you can get in touch with us if you are searching for a clinic that offers private early pregnancy scan in London and we’ll be happy to be of assistance.

Are early pregnancy scans safe for me and my baby?

Yes, early pregnancy scans are considered safe for both the mother and the baby. Ultrasound technology uses high-frequency sound waves that are considered safe even by the WHO. Contact us if you’re looking to book an early pregnancy scan with our specialists.

What is an early pregnancy scan, and when is it done?

An early pregnancy scan is an ultrasound, mostly done in the 6th to 10th week of your pregnancy. It helps you know the exact location, notice the heartbeat, rule out any conditions, and figure out the due date. Other vital details, like whether you’re carrying twins or not, can also be known.

Can early scans show the gender of my baby?

It’s generally recommended to do an early scan after 16 weeks. NIPT, also known as non-invasive prenatal testing, can also be done from 6 weeks of pregnancy to determine the chromosomal sex. Contact us to know more about the early gender reveal test we offer at our clinic.

Why would I need an early pregnancy scan? What are its benefits?

An early pregnancy scan will help you understand any complications in advance. Along with this, it also provides reassurance in the early stages of your pregnancy. Benefits here include confirming the location of the pregnancy and the presence of a heartbeat, along with determining whether it is a single, twin or multiple pregnancy.

How accurate is the dating of pregnancy in early scans?

The dating of pregnancy in early scans is about 95-99% accurate if done in the 7-10 week period. This accuracy decreases if done earlier or later than this period. Contact us to schedule a viability or dating scan at Women’s Healthcare.

What prenatal screening tests are offered?

Various prenatal screening tests are advised to prevent any abnormalities. These include early pregnancy scans, nuchal translucency ultrasound, non-invasive prenatal testing, and blood tests, among others. Consult our specialist to understand the relevant prenatal tests applicable to your case.

Do you provide reports or images after the scan?

Yes, both reports and images will be provided after your early pregnancy scan. This will contain details relating to the gestational age, baby’s size and development, heartbeat, and any other findings.

What is the IONA® test?

The IONA test is a non-invasive method that checks for various conditions such as Down, Edward and Patau syndromes. With a turnaround time of 3 working days, book an appointment for our IONA test today.

What should I do to prepare for the scan/visit?

Before your scan or visit, make sure to carry your medical reports with you. We recommend wearing loose clothing, proper hydration, and arriving a little before your appointment. Unsure about the next steps? Contact our clinic for personalised assistance.

What is included in the early pregnancy consultation?

An early pregnancy consultation will include elements such as early pregnancy scans, prenatal screening tests, antenatal blood tests and other personalised pregnancy care. For more details, book an appointment with our specialist today.

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What Is An Early Pregnancy Scan? What Is The Best Time To Have An Early Pregnancy Scan?

What Are The Reasons For Having An Early Pregnancy Scan?

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