If any woman suspects that she has had a miscarriage, then ultrasound is the most common test that she will undergo. This test can also be recommended by her caregiver if he or she suspects the same. This test usually goes along with hCG blood test. Another common term that is given to the ultrasound is sonograms. It is worth to note that this test is not done at all times of the pregnancy. This is because the accuracy and the effectiveness of the test will majorly depend on the stage of the pregnancy. The accuracy in the estimation of this stage has an effect on the accuracy of the test as well.
Generally, the seventh week of pregnancy marks a transitional stage for the development of the embryo. This is the period that the embryo is transformed into a fetus. This implies that if you go for a 7 weeks pregnant ultrasound test, you will get the chance to see the development of your baby. Most parents love to have this test because it gives them an assurance that their baby is doing fine and that they need not to worry about a miscarriage or anything unusual.
Why Should I Have 7 Weeks Pregnant Ultrasound?
It is highly recommended that pregnant women have the first ultrasound test at the seventh week of pregnancy. You can do this for many reasons. However, the most common ones are because you need to ensure that the health and development of the embryo is good and to give you the assurance and the comfort that everything is fine.
- To check if you have one or two embryos together with the gestational sacs.
- To determine the gestational age. This is commonly referred to as dating scan.
- To determine the cause and the source of any bleeding that may be causing the loss of blood for pregnant mothers.
- To determine if the embryo’s heart is beating.
- To make sure that the baby’s size is fit for gestational age.
- To check the conditions of the uterus, ovaries and the fallopian tubes.
- To be certain that the implantation of the embryo is in the uterus so as to be sure that ectopic pregnancy has not occurred.
- To ascertain the embryo’s development in relation to the menstrual history of the mother. This is common when the mother is uncertain of the last menstrual period.
How Will My 7 Weeks Pregnant Ultrasound Be Done?
Generally, there are two ways of having an ultrasound test. One is by having it done through the vagina, commonly referred to as trans-vaginally. The other one is done through the abdomen and is thus referred to as trans-abdominally. Most of the specialists in this field believe that the one done via the vagina is more accurate than the one through the abdomen. The reason behind is that the transducer send the sound waves through a smaller layer of tissue to receive the images from the embryo unlike the thicker tissue linings that it could otherwise have gone through via the abdomen.
Trans-vaginal ultrasound test is normally carried out by placing the transducer in the vagina. The transducer will then send the sound waves to the uterus through the cervix. Unlike the trans-abdominal test, the vaginal one does not necessarily require the mother to have a full bladder. This is normally required while using the abdominal test because the full bladder will ensure that the embryo is lifted up the pelvis for clear vision.
What Can I See on a 7 Weeks Pregnant Ultrasound?
With an ultrasound test in the seventh week of pregnancy, you can see the major developments of the fetus. At this stage, you can be able to see the hands together with the nostrils which may have formed. You might also be in a position to see the genitalia. The most captivating thing that this test will give you is the heart beat of the fetus. If you are curious, then you can notice that the heartbeat rate of the fetus is much higher than that of an adult. In addition to this, you can see the facial features, the eyes as well as the mouth which may have formed at this stage.
During this week, you can also see the baby’s fingers and toes. You should expect some of the body organs to have developed. This will then initiate the growth and development of other parts of the body. Some of the organs that may have developed at this stage include the liver, the pancreas and the appendix. As the liver grows, then the red blood cells play a key role in supplying nutrients together with oxygen. The blood cell formation will also be starting thanks to the bone marrow which would have formed by now. Be sure to see the kidney formation clearly.
You can see a video of a 7 weeks pregnant ultrasound test by following the link below:
How Accurate Is the Ultrasound Examination?
To get an accurate date of a baby, you need to have an ultrasound test as soon as possible. This is because the earlier it is done, the more accurate the result is. The most accurate and precise time to have the test is usually between 8 to 11 weeks of gestation as compared to that of 12 weeks. The growth rate of the fetus is so high that the two weeks difference is noticeable.
Apart from the timing of the ultrasound test, the accuracy of this procedure will also depend on the accuracy of the skill and experience of the specialist doing it and the quality condition of the equipment.