6, 7 and 8 Week Scans: What You'll See on Screen
Stage by stage: the sac, the heartbeat and your baby, plus why the dates can be a few days out and which week suits a first scan.
Quick Answer
Six weeks usually shows the pregnancy sac, the yolk sac and a baby of about 4 to 5mm, often with a flickering heartbeat. Seven weeks brings a baby of around 1cm and, usually, a clear heartbeat. Eight weeks shows a head, a body and the first limb buds. If you can wait, 7 weeks is a good week for a first look. Compare our early scans in Gateshead by week.
Six Weeks
At six weeks the scan is about confirming the basics. Your sonographer looks for the pregnancy sac inside the womb, the bright ring of the yolk sac, and the fetal pole, the tiny thickening that becomes your baby, around 4 to 5mm long. A heartbeat often shows as a fast flicker, but at this stage it can still be too early to see one. The 6 week scan guide goes into more detail.
Seven Weeks
By seven weeks your baby is around a centimetre long and much easier to measure. The heartbeat is usually clear on screen, and the head-to-bottom measurement (crown-rump length) is checked against your dates. It is the week many parents pick for their first scan.
Eight Weeks
At eight weeks, at around 1.5 to 2cm, your baby has a recognisable head and body, and the limb buds that become arms and legs may be visible. Small movements sometimes show up too. If there are two babies, it is usually easier to tell by now.
When the Dates Don't Match
Weeks are counted from the first day of your last period, which assumes ovulation on day 14. If you ovulated later, your baby will measure a few days behind, which is common. Very early, that can mean the sac and yolk sac are visible but the baby or heartbeat is not yet.
Your sonographer will explain what the measurements show. Where further assessment is clinically needed, they may recommend a follow-up scan. For a measured due date, the Early Dating Scan at 9 to 11 weeks is the right choice.
Over the Tummy or Internal?
Usually over the tummy. Our early scans are normally transabdominal. Occasionally an internal (transvaginal) scan gives a clearer view, at no extra cost, and your sonographer will always explain why and check you are comfortable first. Our team of sonographers is all female. The your visit page covers how to prepare.
Symptoms? Contact the NHS Before Booking
Our scans are for peace of mind, not urgent care. Bleeding, tummy pain, pain in the tip of your shoulder, dizziness or feeling faint all need NHS advice first: call your GP, NHS 111 or your local Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit. For heavy bleeding, severe pain or collapse, call 999.
Your First Scan in Gateshead
The Early Viability Scan (£88) runs from 6 to 8 weeks, with up to 7 guests welcome and your baby shown on our 90-inch projector screen. Further along? See which early scan fits your dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
The pregnancy sac inside the womb, the yolk sac and usually the fetal pole, about 4 to 5mm long. A heartbeat is often visible as a flicker, though at 6 weeks it can still be too early to see one.
Yes. At 7 weeks the baby is around 1cm, easier to measure, and the heartbeat is usually clear. Our Early Viability Scan covers 6 to 8 weeks.
Because dates assume ovulation on day 14. Ovulating later is common and means your baby is a few days younger than the calendar says. Your sonographer will explain what the measurements show.
Sometimes, as two pregnancy sacs, but twins are usually easier to confirm from around 8 weeks. Every Early Viability Scan checks for a single or multiple pregnancy.
One of our experienced and registered sonographers. Our Gateshead sonographer team is all female.