6 to 8 Week Ultrasound: What to Expect & Why It’s Important

Prepare for your pregnancy journey with confidence. As soon as you see that positive home pregnancy test, embrace the excitement while understanding that there may be moments of slight panic.

Don’t worry—pregnancy provides time to process and learn. It’s best to take these nine months one step at a time.

Following a positive pregnancy test, the next step is the 6 to 8- week ultrasound. This initial ultrasound will be the first of at least two that you’ll receive during pregnancy (the other is the 12 week ultrasound, which is done to rule out genetic or developmental abnormalities in high risk women). To better understand this milestone, let’s explore what to expect during your 6 to 8- week ultrasound, and why it’s important.

In this article:

1. Understanding Your 6 to 8 Week Ultrasound
2. The Six Week Ultrasound
3. The Seven Week Ultrasound
4. The Eight Week Ultrasound
5. Guidance and Preparation for Your First Ultrasound
6. Why is a 6 to 8 Week Ultrasound Important?
7. Seeking More Answers About Your Baby?

Understanding Your 6 to 8 week Ultrasound

Typically, you’ll have your very first ultrasound when you’re 8 weeks pregnant. This is the case for most women. However, there are situations where your doctor might recommend an ultrasound as early as 6 or 7 weeks.

Also known as the early or dating ultrasound, this ultrasound scan determines the progress of your pregnancy.  Unlike regular check-ups, this initial pregnancy ultrasound provides the first glimpse into your baby’s development.

At the 6 to 8- week pregnancy ultrasound appointment, your doctor will:

• Confirm that you’re pregnant
• Check the baby’s heartbeat and cardiac activity
• Determine if the pregnancy is a single or twin pregnancy
• Estimate your due date

Essentially, this first-trimester ultrasound confirms that you have a viable pregnancy and can start planning for your newest family member (or members). With the estimated due date in hand (which our pregnancy due date calculator can also help with) you can officially start your countdown to baby.

What is an ultrasound?

Before we get into what you can expect during your appointment, let’s rewind and talk about ultrasounds in general. An ultrasound is a medical procedure that uses sound waves to construct images of the inside of your body . This allows doctors to evaluate the body’s internal organs and workings in a non-invasive manner.

Ultrasound scans can be used for many different medical reasons. Outside of pregnancy, ultrasounds can help:

• Diagnose health conditions
• Detect tumors
• Guide doctors during biopsies

What types of ultrasounds are used for pregnant women?

The type of ultrasound your doctor will perform during your pregnancy will depend on several factors, including how far along into the pregnancy you are and your medical history.

Let’s break down the various types of pregnancy ultrasounds and when they’re used.

• Transvaginal ultrasound – During a transvaginal ultrasound, a small probe that’s inserted a few inches into your vagina emits high-frequency sound waves to create a visual image of your baby and reproductive system. This type of ultrasound is used in early pregnancy (typically, between weeks 6 and 8) when your baby and uterus are still quite small and nestled deep inside your pelvis. By taking a look transvaginally, rather than transabdominally (i.e., over the abdomen), clearer images can be captured because the probe (and its sound waves) can get closer to your uterus.
• 2-D ultrasound – Also known as a standard ultrasound, this type of ultrasound is a transabdominal ultrasound, the doctor or technician will glide a wand over your abdomen to capture images of your baby. These ultrasounds are used starting around 8 weeks when your uterus has grown large enough to rest closer to your belly button (rather than resting deep inside your pelvis).
• 3-D ultrasound – A 3-D ultrasound, while still a transabdominal ultrasound scan, it uses more advanced technology than the 2-D version. This technology is often used during the second and third trimesters to provide parents with a unique keepsake, as well as to diagnose potential birth defects, such as a cleft palate.
• Doppler ultrasound – If you’re considered a high-risk pregnancy (for instance, if you’re over age 35 or have a history of miscarriage), your doctor may order a Doppler ultrasound. This procedure uses sound waves to measure the movement of your baby’s blood flow. It can also check the blood circulation in your uterus and placenta to ensure healthy blood flow during your second and third trimesters.

Now that you know the key types of ultrasounds, you’ll have a better idea of what to expect during your 6 to 8- week scan.

The Six Week Ultrasound

A 6- week ultrasound is recommended when the mother has potential health risks. If you’re scheduled for a 6- week ultrasound, don’t panic. Scheduling this ultrasound is just your doctor’s way of ensuring your baby is healthy.

Your doctor may recommend a 6 week ultrasound due to:

• Medical history (for instance, if you suffer from high blood pressure)
• Age (over 35 is considered a high-risk pregnancy)
• Previous pregnancy complications (such as a pregnancy loss or bleeding during pregnancy)

What Can You Expect from a 6-Week Scan?

At this stage of your pregnancy, you’ll need to undergo a transvaginal ultrasound. During the procedure, your doctor will look for several things, including:

• Fetal Heartbeat – The baby’s heartbeat is usually detectable by 6 weeks, although sometimes it can take a little longer.
• Yolk sac – The yolk sac is a small bubble-like structure within the gestational sac (the protective sac that contains the amniotic fluid). It typically develops around week 5 or 6 in pregnancy. The yolk sac provides critical nutrients to the growing fetus, so its presence (as well as its size and shape) help to inform about your baby’s health.
• Embryo – Your doctor will also check that the embryo has been implanted in the right place to confirm that you don’t have an ectopic pregnancy—a situation where the fertilized egg implants into one of the fallopian tubes or somewhere outside of the uterus.

The fetal pole may also be visible at this time—the structure that will eventually become recognizable as a fetus. At this early stage, the fetal pole will appear as an adorable gray blip, about the size of a sweet pea. Feel free to request a copy of your sonogram—it’s technically your baby’s first photo.

Your doctor can also measure the fetal pole to pinpoint exactly how far along you are in your pregnancy.

Pregnancy Symptoms at 6 Weeks

At 6 weeks pregnant, your body is undergoing significant changes to support your growing baby. Common symptoms you might experience include:

• Nausea or Morning Sickness
• Tiredness and Fatigue
• Mood Swings
• Frequent Urination
• Breast Tenderness
• Light Spotting or Cramping

The Seven– Week Ultrasound

Similar to a 6- week ultrasound, a 7 week ultrasound is often requested by your doctor when they want to ensure healthy fetal development.

What Can You Expect from a 7 Week Scan?

At 7 weeks, your fetus is still too small for a standard ultrasound to capture clearly, so a 7- week ultrasound will also be performed transvaginally. Your doctor will look for many of the same things they would during an earlier ultrasound, including:

• The gestational sac
• The yolk sac
• The heartbeat

If the fetal pole wasn’t visible at 6 weeks, it’d be visible now (but still look like a gray blip).

Pregnancy Symptoms at 7-Weeks

During the 7th week of pregnancy, you may notice some new symptoms along with the continuation of symptoms from week 6. These include:

• Increased Morning Sickness, Nausea, and Vomiting
• Salivation Increase
• Food Cravings or Aversions
• Breast Tenderness
• Heightened Sense of Smell
• Bloating and Constipation

The 8 Week Ultrasound

By 8 weeks, your little one is further developed. Along with the gestational and yolk sacs, heartbeat, and fetal pole, the embryo shape is more defined.

What Can You Expect from an 8 Week Scan?

The 8- week ultrasound is typically a transabdominal procedure instead of a transvaginal one. This means you’ll get to experience the cold gel/wand-on-your-stomach procedure you likely associate with ultrasounds.

Remarkable baby development occurs during the 8 week scan, including:

• Visible head and body of the baby
• Development of facial features (eyes, nose, mouth)
• Formation of tiny arm and leg buds
• Possible visualization of the baby’s heartbeat

Pregnancy Symptoms at 8 Weeks

By the 8th week of pregnancy, your body is adapting to pregnancy, and you might experience:

• Persistent morning sickness, fatigue, breast tenderness, mood swings, and frequent urination
• Darker nipples
• Headaches
• Weight gain or bloating

Guidance and Preparation for Your First Ultrasound

How should I prepare for my first ultrasound appointment?

To ensure a smooth ultrasound, follow these tips:

• Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water before your appointment. A full bladder can improve the visibility of the ultrasound.
• Wear Comfortable Clothing: Choose a two-piece outfit, as you’ll need to expose your abdomen.
• Familiarize Yourself with the Procedure: Knowing whether it’s a transabdominal or transvaginal ultrasound can help set your expectations.
• Bring Essential Documents: Carry any medical records or forms provided by your healthcare provider.

Important Questions to Ask

During and after your ultrasound, consider asking these essential questions for a better understanding of your baby’s development and what to expect:

1. What is the estimated due date based on the ultrasound?
2. Can you explain what you’re seeing on the monitor?
3. Is the baby’s heart rate within a normal range?
4. Are there any signs of concerns I should be aware of?
5. What are the next steps after this ultrasound?

Why is a 6 to 8 week ultrasound important?

A 6 to 8- week ultrasound is an important step in ensuring that you have the healthiest pregnancy possible.

While 6 to 8- week ultrasounds allow your doctor to confirm your pregnancy, ensure proper fetal development, and give you an estimated due date, one thing these ultrasounds can’t tell is the sex of your baby. To learn that, you’ll have to wait for your transabdominal anatomy ultrasound, which typically takes place around the 18- week mark.

Or, you could ask SneakPeek.

Seeking More Answers About Your Baby? SneakPeek Can Deliver

These early ultrasounds often leave new moms wanting to know more—especially whether they’re having a baby girl or boy. Discovering gender adds to the excitement of exploring baby names and planning the perfect baby shower.

At SneakPeek, we know how you feel. That’s why we developed the SneakPeek At-Home Early Gender Prediction Test and our Clinical Early Fetal Sex DNA Test.

Our clinically-proven, over 99% accurate gender test can tell you if you’re expecting a little girl or boy as early as 6 weeks into your pregnancy. Plus, the test can easily be taken in the comfort of your own home. It’s no wonder it’s the #1 OBGYN-recommended at-home gender test, trusted by over 1 million moms.

So don’t wait for more answers. Find out more, sooner, with SneakPeek.

If you have more questions like what weeks you get ultrasounds during pregnancy or when is the coveted boy or girl reveal ultrasound, read our linked blogs!

Editorial Policy

At SneakPeek, our commitment is to provide accurate, up-to-date, and reliable information to empower our readers. Our content is thoroughly researched, reviewed by medical experts, and fact-checked to ensure its credibility. We prioritize the well-being and education of our readers, and our editorial policy adheres to the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in all our articles.

This post has been reviewed for accuracy by the following medical professional:

Dr. Heather Soper, Certified Nurse Midwife

Dr. Heather Soper brings over 15 years of experience in women's health and obstetrics to her role as the owner of The Genesis Resort for Birth. Complementing her clinical practice, she serves as an Assistant Professor of Nursing at James Madison University, where she educates nursing students with a focus on compassionate, patient-centered care. Her advanced training and dedication to midwifery are evident in her contribution to both academia and the wellness of expectant mothers.

Sources:

1. Madison Women’s Health. Ultrasounds During Pregnancy: What You Need to Know . https://madisonwomenshealth.com/pregnancy/ultrasounds-during-pregnancy-what-you-need-to-know/
2. Radiology Info. General Ultrasound . https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info/genus
3. American Pregnancy Association. What is an Ultrasound Exam ? https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-health-wellness/ultrasound/
4. NHS. Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy. https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/pregnancy/week-by-week-guide-to-pregnancy/
5. PubMed. Fetal and Umbilical Doppler Ultrasound in Normal Pregnancy. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4171458/
6. MayoClinic. Ectopic Pregnancy. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/symptoms-causes/
7. Radiopaedia. Yolk Sac. https://radiopaedia.org/articles/yolk-sac?lang=us
8. PubMed. Role of Ultrasound in the Evaluation of First-Trimester Pregnancies in the Acute Setting. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7065984/
9. VeryWellFamily. Transvaginal Ultrasound During Pregnancy. https://www.verywellfamily.com/ultrasound-in-early-pregnancy-2760113
10. WebMD. What to Expect From Your First Pregnancy Ultrasound. https://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/features/first-pregnancy-ultrasound#1
11. Radiological Society of North America. Ultrasound: Sonogram. https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info/genus