From the moment most people find out they are pregnant, they start looking forward to their first ultrasound. The first trimester can be an exciting time, and it can be reassuring to see on the scan that everything looks good.
We offer the first ultrasound around 7 weeks of pregnancy. At this stage, we should be able to see a heartbeat and confirm that the pregnancy is in the right place. We can also give an estimate of how far along you are.
If this is your first pregnancy, we combine this ultrasound with an introductory meeting with one of our midwives. During this meeting, we give advice, explain more about our practice and team, and of course, there is plenty of time for you to ask questions. Having an ultrasound around 7 weeks is not mandatory—some people prefer to wait for the dating scan.
Dating scan
Een paar weken na je eerste echo maken we de termijnecho (tussen 10 en 11 weken zwangerschap). Op basis van deze echo bepalen we de definitieve uitgerekende datum. Uiteraard kijken we wederom of het hartje klopt en of er bijzonderheden te zien zijn.
A few weeks after your first scan, we perform the dating scan (between 10 and 12 weeks of pregnancy). This scan determines your official due date. We will also check again that the heartbeat is present and look for any abnormalities.
The first ultrasound (around 7 weeks) is covered by health insurance in certain cases, for example, if you have had a miscarriage before or if you are experiencing bleeding. If there is no medical indication for the scan, the cost is about €50 (2025), for which you will receive an invoice afterward. The dating scan is always covered by health insurance.
What if the results are not good?
Unfortunately, it sometimes happens that the scan shows no heartbeat. This is, of course, very sad and can come as a big shock. Everyone experiences this differently, but it’s important to know that the length of the pregnancy says nothing about the depth of the grief you may feel. Even if you are not far along, it can be a deeply emotional event.
We will give you written information to take home and allow you time to process the news. The next day, we will call you to discuss your options. You may choose to wait for a miscarriage to start naturally, or we can refer you to the hospital for medication to induce it. The gynecologist can also perform a procedure to empty the uterus, but this is usually not the first choice due to slightly increased risks. If there is no heartbeat, it is almost always due to an abnormality in the development of the baby—nothing you have done yourself.
How is the first ultrasound performed?
The first ultrasound at around 7 weeks can sometimes be performed abdominally (through the belly). However, it is often less clear at this stage, and a vaginal scan may be necessary. If you are uncomfortable with this, please let us know. We can support you and take extra time if needed.
Making an appointment
Once you have registered with our practice, our assistant will contact you to schedule your first appointments. You can then indicate whether or not you would like to have a first ultrasound at around 7 weeks.