9 Weeks Pregnant: What to Expect from Your Ultrasound Scan

Patients with healthy pregnancies generally have at least two ultrasound scans, one during the first trimester and one during the second trimester. Though the first ultrasound scan usually happens between weeks 10 and 13, it is not uncommon for the first pregnancy ultrasound to happen at 9 weeks.

This article will examine why you might have an ultrasound at 9 weeks, what to expect during your early pregnancy scan, how to prepare for your appointment, and how to access your results.

 

 

Why you may need an ultrasound at 9 weeks

The first pregnancy ultrasound usually takes place somewhere between weeks 10-13. Sometimes called the dating scan, this first ultrasound helps your healthcare team determine the gestational age of the fetus. Occasionally the first ultrasound might happen even a little earlier, depending on your personal health circumstances or the practices of your primary healthcare provider.

Here are several reasons you might have an ultrasound at 9 weeks:

To confirm pregnancy

This ultrasound might be the first opportunity to visually confirm your pregnancy. At 9 weeks, the fetus will be approximately 2.5 cm long (1 inch), about the size of a large grape, and will weigh about 2 grams.

To check for an ectopic pregnancy

At 9 weeks, an ultrasound can check that your pregnancy is properly implanted in your uterus (e.g. intrauterine). An ectopic pregnancy is extrauterine, meaning it is implanted anywhere outside your uterus, for instance, in the fallopian tubes. Ectopic pregnancies are not viable.

To check for multiples

If you have twins or triplets in your family history, you may have a higher-than-average chance of multiple pregnancies. This early pregnancy scan should reveal if you have multiple viable embryos.

To measure fetal development and size

At 9 weeks, the sonographer can often measure the fetus’ crown-rump length, which helps establish gestational age.

To predict the due date

The weeks of your pregnancy are measured from the first day of your last menstrual period. If you’re unsure when that was, the fetal crown-rump length can help establish or adjust an estimated due date.

To identify or locate the source of any vaginal bleeding

Although some spotting is well within the confines of normal, you might have an ultrasound at 9 weeks if you experience vaginal bleeding.

To monitor high-risk pregnancy

If your family health history or ongoing health issues mean your pregnancy is considered high risk, you might have an ultrasound scan at 9 weeks.

High-risk factors can include:

• Pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure or kidney disease
• A family history of multiple births (twins, triplets)
• Maternal age, whether low (e.g. teen) or high (over 35)
• A previous pre-term delivery or miscarriage

 

What to expect at your 9-week scan

During your ultrasound scan, the sonographer uses a transducer which emits high-frequency sound waves. Those sound waves bounce off your internal tissues and structures, and the ‘echoes’ are collected by the ultrasound machine and compiled into live and still images.

Is a 9-week ultrasound internal or external?

At 9 weeks pregnant, an ultrasound might be internal (transvaginal) or external (transabdominal), depending on each specific pregnancy. In early pregnancy (e.g. before 10 weeks), fetal structures are very small, and it is easier to get visibility with an internal ultrasound.

In a transabdominal ultrasound, the transducer is moved across the abdominal skin through a layer of sound-conducting gel. During a transvaginal ultrasound, the gel-coated transducer is inserted into the vaginal canal to capture better images.

What can you see on a 9-week pregnancy ultrasound?

The 9-week fetus is still very small, only about an inch long. The ultrasound will likely show some of the associated prenatal structures, such as the umbilical cord and the gestational sac, a black shape like a circle around the embryo filled with amniotic fluid.

You might also see the yolk sac in the ultrasound image, which provides the embryo with nutrients and is itself absorbed by the end of the first trimesters.

It is too early for fine detail, but you are likely to see the larger shape of the head as distinct from the body, and you may be able to see the shapes of developing limbs.

Can you hear a baby’s heartbeat at a 9-week ultrasound?

You may be able to hear a heartbeat during a 9-week scan, but it is also possible and normal not to hear it. It depends on which method of ultrasound you have, transabdominal or transvaginal. The fetal cardiac structure is still very tiny at this stage, and the heartbeat might not be apparent during a transabdominal ultrasound.

It also depends on what type of ultrasound you have. A Doppler ultrasound is a specialized type of ultrasound that visualizes blood flow. Doppler ultrasounds are usually the first to be able to distinguish fetal heartbeats and are typically more reliable for detecting heartbeats than standard transabdominal imaging.

 

How to prepare for your appointment

Ultrasounds are safe, non-invasive imaging scans. They don’t often involve too much preparation but be sure to check with the imaging clinic for any special instructions.

There are a few things you can do to be well-prepared for your ultrasound scan, including:

• Bring a copy of your requisition: It has important information for the imaging clinic, and it will save you time at registration. Remember to bring your health card or ID card.
• Wear comfortable, loose clothing: You’ll have to move or remove some or all of your clothing, so wear something you can easily take on and off.
• Have a full bladder: Sound waves travel well through the liquid, so if you’re having a transabdominal ultrasound, a full bladder will help the technician capture the clearest images. You’ll be allowed to empty your bladder before a transvaginal exam.
• Bring a support person with you, if needed: Check with the imaging clinic when you book your scan, to make sure that’s permitted.

Depending on the method and type of ultrasound you have, your scan should take between 30-60 minutes. Afterwards, you can go about your day as usual.

 

 

Common 9-week pregnancy signs and symptoms

At 9 weeks pregnant, you’re in the last month of your first trimester. Pregnancy hormones can have unexpected effects both physically and emotionally. Each pregnancy is a singular experience, but many pregnant women have reported feeling at least some of the following pregnancy symptoms and signs:

• Constipation: Digestion slows during early pregnancy, to give you the chance to absorb more nutrients. Be sure to drink plenty of water and eat lots of high fibre foods.
• Cramps: It’s not unusual to feel mild or occasional cramps. Pain, however, should be reported to your doctor, especially if it is accompanied by bleeding.
• Fatigue: You’re growing both a fetus and the surrounding supporting tissue (e.g., the placenta). It’s natural to feel much more tired than usual.
• Food cravings/ food aversions: The increased hormone levels can affect your appetite, making you crave specific foods, or turning you away from foods you formerly liked. It’s fine to indulge in any cravings, in moderation.
• Heartburn: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), the pregnancy hormone, makes the esophagus relax, which can sometimes lead to heartburn. Eating smaller or more frequent meals or avoiding common triggers like caffeine, carbonation and citrus might help.
• Mood fluctuation: Rapidly increased levels of hCG can also lead to mood swings.
• Nausea: The first trimester is often accompanied by nausea as your body adapts to rising levels of hCG. ‘Morning sickness’ is not inaccurate, but many people experience nausea throughout the day.
• Sensitive or sore breasts: The hormonal surge can cause your breasts to feel sore or sensitive. You may find you need to increase your bra size for more comfortable support.
• Visible veins: Your veins might appear more prominent. This is normal, as your blood volume is increasing.
• Weight gain: Although the big gains are still to come, you might find your clothes are tight even if your pregnancy is not clearly noticeable.

 

How quickly can you get your 9-week pregnancy report and ultrasound pictures?

The radiologist will release the images and a report to your referring physician, who will discuss the results with you at a follow-up appointment. But you might not want to wait a few days for the process to take place: it can be very exciting to see ultrasound pictures of your early pregnancy.

PocketHealth gives you fast, secure access to all your ultrasound images and reports as soon as they’re released. You can even use PocketHealth to share your pregnancy ultrasounds with loved ones. My Care Navigator highlights any folllow-up recommendations in your ultrasound report and provides you with personalized questions to help you get the most out of discussions with your doctor.

 

Feel confident throughout your pregnancy journey

Knowing what to expect at your 9-week ultrasound and beyond can provide peace of mind, allowing you to embrace your pregnancy journey with confidence. With PocketHealth, you can securely store all your ultrasound records in one convenient place—no more worrying about misplaced reports.

PocketHealth simplifies access to your pregnancy imaging, making it easy to share with your healthcare provider and loved ones. By keeping all your essential records at your fingertips, it empowers you to stay organized and informed throughout your pregnancy, giving you greater control over your health.