7 Weeks Pregnant: What to Know Before Your Ultrasound

For some pregnant patients, their first ultrasound may be scheduled as early as 7 weeks gestation. You may have a lot of questions about what comes next in these early weeks of pregnancy. Ultrasounds play a vital role in helping you and your healthcare team determine pregnancy viability and how far along you really are. This overview will explain what a 7 week ultrasound will show, what to expect during the appointment and offer tips for preparation.

While this guide provides helpful information about prenatal ultrasounds, your doctor will officially interpret your results during a follow-up appointment or phone call. If you’d like early access to your results, PocketHealth offers secure, instant access to your report when it is available. This allows you to review the findings in advance and prepare any questions for your follow-up.

 

 

7 reasons to get an ultrasound at 7 weeks

At 7 weeks, an ultrasound can tell your practitioner key information about how your baby is growing and how your body is responding. This is also the first chance you’ll have to see an image of the tiny embryo growing inside you. The embryo will not be classified as a fetus until after week 8, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Your practitioner will send you for an early pregnancy ultrasound to:

1. Verify a heartbeat for the first time
2. Confirm gestational age or weeks of gestation to determine due date
3. Measure the size (i.e., crown rump length) of the embryo
4. Check if more than one embryo is present
5. Identify the cause of any vaginal bleeding
6. Examine your ovaries, cervix and uterus
7. Ensure your pregnancy is intrauterine, meaning embedded in the uterus

This ultrasound will also provide your practitioner with important information about pregnancy complications like ectopic or molar pregnancies. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the embryo develops outside the uterus and in the case of a molar pregnancy, groups of cells form but do not develop into a fetus.

 

What to expect at a 7 weeks ultrasound

During an ultrasound, a sonographer or trained technician uses a hand-held device called a transducer. The transducer creates sound waves (too quiet for human ears to hear) that travel painlessly through your body to your baby. An ultrasound machine then detects the sound waves and uses them to create an image of your baby’s exact position and shape.

Ultrasounds are safe when performed by a trained sonographer, specialized practitioner, or ultrasound technician, according to Health Canada and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Unlike X-rays, ultrasounds don’t use radiation to capture images.

Is a 7 week scan internal or external?

There are two types of prenatal ultrasounds: transabdominal (external) and transvaginal (internal). At a 7 weeks ultrasound, you will most likely receive a transvaginal ultrasound.

During a transvaginal ultrasound, a sonographer will place a wand-shaped transducer inside your vagina to capture more detailed images of different parts of your baby and your womb and cervix. Transvaginal ultrasounds are more effective at the early stages of pregnancy because the embryo is so small that the transducer can capture more details inside the vaginal canal than outside the abdomen.

Around weeks 11 to 12, when the fetus is larger, it’s more common to have external abdominal ultrasounds. During this procedure, gel is applied to the abdomen, and the transducer is moved across the area to capture images.

 

How to prepare for your appointment

Pregnancy ultrasounds require some preparation. You can make sure you’re ready for your early pregnancy transvaginal ultrasound by:

• Bringing a copy of your requisition: The imaging facility may already have your ultrasound orders, but if not, having them on hand may save you time during check-in. Be sure to also bring your health or insurance card and photo ID.
• Booking your appointment when your baby is more active: This allows the ultrasound to capture as many images as possible. Drinking a cold sugary beverage right before your appointment can also help make your baby more active.
• Arriving with a full bladder: Soundwaves travel more easily through liquid, so a full bladder helps your sonographer capture the best image possible of your baby.
• Drinking lots of water in the week leading up to your ultrasound: Staying well hydrated helps keep amniotic fluid clear, allowing for better images.
• Wearing loose and comfortable clothing: Make sure that whatever you wear is easy to take off and put on.
• Having someone who can support you during the appointment: For patients who want a support person, checking in advance with the imaging clinic can be helpful. While many facilities allow someone to be with you during the scan, policies may vary.

 

What can you see on an ultrasound at 7 weeks?

Your 7 weeks ultrasound will give your practitioner a lot of information about how your embryo is developing and how your body is adjusting to pregnancy. At this stage, the embryo is roughly one third of an inch (10 mm) long. During your ultrasound, you’ll be able to see:

• Gestational sac: Appearing as a dark circle surrounding the embryo, the gestational sac contains fluid and is first visible between 4.5 and 5 weeks.
• Yolk sac: A nutritional sac that gives the embryo the nutrition it needs to keep growing. The yolk sac is visible starting around 5.5 weeks but is then absorbed by the fetus by the end of the first trimester.
• Embryo: Also called a fetal pole, this is the first stage of your baby’s growth visible on an ultrasound.
• Amniotic sac: A thin-walled sac of fluid surrounding the embryo, protecting it and allowing movement.

Since your baby is still in the embryo stage, you won’t be able to see facial features, arms and legs or fingers and toes just yet. Your sonographer also won’t be able to discern the sex of your baby until your 18-20 week anatomy scan or later in your first trimester if you’ve opted for additional screening.

Can you see a heartbeat at 7 weeks on an ultrasound?

If your baby is in a good position for viewing, you may be able to catch a glimpse of your baby’s tiny heart beating. You may even hear a sound you’ve been waiting for: your baby’s heartbeat.

Between 6 and 7 weeks, it’s possible to hear the early electronic flutters of your baby’s heart, which beats at a rate of 90-110 beats per minute—much faster than an adult heart rate! Your ultrasound technician will be able to measure these beats on the monitor at your appointment.

 

Questions to ask during and after your ultrasound appointment

If you’re worried about your ultrasound appointment, asking your practitioner or sonographer questions in advance can help you feel more prepared. Keep in mind that you can discuss your early pregnancy ultrasound results with your practitioner, but your sonographer cannot legally answer questions about your baby or your health during the appointment.

Questions to ask during your ultrasound appointment:

• Can I take my own photos and videos during the appointment?
• How do you share my images/results?
• How long is the appointment?
• How many people can join me?

Questions to ask at your follow up appointment

Your 7 week ultrasound gives your practitioner important information about how your new baby is growing and how your body is responding to pregnancy. Some possible questions you may find helpful include:

• What is the estimated date of conception and due date?
• What is the fetal heart rate and what is considered a strong heartbeat at 7 weeks?
• What is the size or crown rump length of the embryo?
• Did the ultrasound show anything I should be aware of?
• What are the signs of a healthy pregnancy at 7 weeks?
• When is my next ultrasound? Is there any additional testing to consider, like nuchal translucency screening or chorionic villus sampling?
• Are there any additional follow-ups you would recommend based on this ultrasound?

 

How quickly can you get your 7 week ultrasound pictures and report?

We’ve heard that many patients want to see their ultrasound results as quickly as possible. With PocketHealth, you can quickly and easily access and share your pregnancy ultrasound images and report—often before seeing your practitioner for a follow-up.

PocketHealth also enables you to securely access, share and store your imaging and other health information all in one place. And it’s easy to share images with family and friends, so they can see how your baby grows over time.

If you need clarity on the terms in your ultrasound report, Report Reader is there to help. Report Reader simplifies complex medical terms by providing easy-to-understand definitions, helping you feel more prepared when speaking with your pregnancy care practitioner.

 

 

Frequently asked questions

Here are some common questions patients have regarding 7 week ultrasounds.

Is 7 weeks too early for an ultrasound?

While not all patients will receive an ultrasound at seven weeks, it is common for physicians to schedule one at this stage, especially when determining viability and gestational age. That said, it’s not uncommon for patients to have their first ultrasound a bit later in the first trimester. The timing depends on the patient, their medical history and their doctor’s recommendations.

What does no activity mean on an ultrasound?

No activity on an ultrasound at seven weeks can be due to several factors. While it can sometimes indicate a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, try not to panic. Often, it’s simply a result of inaccurate conception dates. In such cases, patients may be earlier in their pregnancy than they realized. It’s normal for nothing to show up on the ultrasound in the early stages. Doctors may recommend blood tests and a follow-up ultrasound in a week or two to reassess.

What are the signs of twins at a 7 week ultrasound?

Early ultrasounds can sometimes detect multiples, such as twins or triplets. Some signs of multiple pregnancies include:

• Multiple fetal heartbeats
• Multiple gestational sacs
• Multiple yolk sacs

Identical twins occur when a single egg is fertilized and then divides into two embryos. In this case, there will typically be one gestational sac, but it will contain two yolk sacs. At this early stage, it can be difficult to identify both yolk sacs if they are positioned at an angle or if there are other visibility issues. This means the presence of identical twins may sometimes be missed on the initial ultrasound. However, as the fetuses develop, they become easier to detect, and follow-up ultrasounds often reveal the second twin. In contrast, fraternal twins each have their own gestational sacs, making them easier to identify.

When will I have my next ultrasound?

The timing of your next ultrasound after the initial 7-week scan will depend on your doctor’s recommendations, whether additional imaging is needed for clarification or if you choose to undergo genetic screening. Genetic screening typically occurs between 11 and 13 weeks of gestation and is done through an optional nuchal translucency ultrasound.

During this ultrasound, the fluid behind the fetal neck is measured. If extra fluid is detected, it could indicate a higher risk for congenital conditions such as Down Syndrome. It’s important to remember that this is just an indicator of higher risk, not a definitive diagnosis. If necessary, further genetic testing may be recommended as the next step.

If you choose not to have the nuchal screening, your next ultrasound may be the anatomy scan, typically performed around 18 to 20 weeks.

 

Feel confident throughout your pregnancy journey

Your first ultrasound is a major milestone in confirming your pregnancy! The more knowledge you can gain ahead of each ultrasound appointment, the more empowered you’ll feel to ask questions that can help you better understand your ultrasound results.

PocketHealth makes it simple to keep track of your ultrasound reports and other medical results. All of your vital imaging is in one secure location and can be accessed online anytime. If needed, reports can also be easily shared with other physicians in your care team. When used in conjunction with your medical provider’s professional advice, it is a powerful tool for organizing and understanding your prenatal progression.

Another tool for your health is MyCare Navigator, which provides personalized insights to your health and identifies any recommended follow-up steps. This feature can also generate individualized questions to ask your doctor based on the findings in your report, ensuring you make the most of your consultation.