Some reasons why you may require an early pregnancy ultrasound:

• Dating, e.g. uncertain last period or irregular menstrual cycle
• Bleeding and/or pain
• Risk of an ectopic pregnancy
• Excessive nausea
• Previous miscarriage
• Considered a high-risk pregnancy in which case accurate dating (gestational age) is particularly important.

An obstetrician with ultrasound access may perform this early scan in place of referral.

This will depend on the reason.  Patients with bleeding will be seen urgently.  However, if the reason for the scan is to do with the past history, e.g. previous miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, we aim to wait until 7 weeks.  Although, an anxious woman may be tempted to come in as early as possible, it's important to remember that the information will be more reliable at the slightly later stages and you also will see a lot more. For example, a heartbeat seen at 6 weeks will not count as much to predict your chances of miscarriage, as one seen at 7 or 8 weeks.</may

Often, all the information is clear by ultrasound through the woman’s abdomen. If not, a transvaginal ultrasound will be offered. In that case a narrow, gel covered probe is gently introduced into the vagina after the woman has emptied her bladder. It goes no further inside you than the speculum does when you have a Pap smear. Most patients experience no pain or only very mild discomfort. The vaginal ultrasound can be performed when there is bleeding, and may be most important when this occurs.

QDOS Ultrasound is located in West Leederville, Perth.