A 10-week ultrasound offers expectant parents an early opportunity to observe their developing baby and gather important medical information. This scan serves as an informative step in the prenatal journey, providing initial insights into the pregnancy’s progress. It is often the first visual introduction to the baby for many families, marking a significant milestone.
Visual Discoveries
At 10 weeks of gestation, the developing baby measures approximately 30 millimeters from head to bottom, comparable to the size of a small apricot, and weighs around one ounce. The ultrasound can reveal a more defined human shape, with the head still appearing proportionally large compared to the body. Distinct features are becoming visible, including the eyelids, ears, and a delicate upper lip and nose with nostrils.
The ultrasound can show developing limbs, with arms and legs becoming apparent. Fingers and toes also form and become defined. A strong, flickering heartbeat is a prominent visual discovery, often visible as early as 5-6 weeks and fully developed by 10 weeks. While parents typically do not feel movements at this stage, the ultrasound may capture subtle, jerky movements as the limbs begin to move separately, indicating early neurological development.
Medical Insights
Beyond the visual aspects, the 10-week ultrasound provides diagnostic information. A primary purpose is to confirm gestational age and establish an accurate estimated due date. This is achieved by measuring the crown-rump length (CRL) from the top of the head to the bottom of the torso. This measurement helps ensure the fetus’s size aligns with the expected gestational age.
The scan also verifies fetal viability by confirming the presence of a strong heartbeat, indicating a healthy pregnancy. Once cardiac activity is confirmed at 10 weeks, the risk of miscarriage decreases significantly. The ultrasound can identify multiple pregnancies by detecting more than one gestational sac or multiple heartbeats. It also assesses the general health of the early pregnancy, confirming its location within the uterus to rule out an ectopic pregnancy and performing a basic uterine assessment. It can also serve as the earliest opportunity for an anomaly scan, assessing the formation of certain structures.
Preparing for the Scan
Preparing for a 10-week ultrasound involves steps to ensure clear imaging. For a transabdominal scan, you will likely be asked to arrive with a full bladder. Drinking about two pints (one liter) of water in the two hours before the scan, and avoiding emptying your bladder, helps displace the uterus and improve fetal visualization.
The procedure lasts between 15 to 30 minutes. A clear gel will be applied to your abdomen to facilitate sound wave transmission from the transducer. While a transabdominal approach is common, a transvaginal ultrasound, using a smaller probe inserted into the vagina, may be used for clearer images, especially in very early pregnancies or if the abdominal view is obstructed. For a transvaginal scan, an empty bladder is preferred. Most clinics allow one support person to accompany you during the scan.