Getting early prenatal care is incredibly important—it sets the foundation for a healthier pregnancy and allows for early detection of any potential complications. Some issues, like ectopic pregnancy (where the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus), can even be life-threatening if not caught in time.
Regular check-ups in the early weeks help ensure everything is progressing normally. They also give your doctor a chance to recommend the right prenatal vitamins, address any existing health concerns, and start necessary medications or lifestyle adjustments. These are some important scans and tests during first trimester. Your doctor may recommend additional ones depending on your medical history, current health, or the baby’s development
Early Pregnancy Scan:
first scan—also called the viability or dating scan—was done around two weeks after I found out I was pregnant. This scan confirms the pregnancy, checks for a fetal heartbeat, estimates the gestational age, and provides an expected due date.
Since my recorded last menstrual period (LMP) was earlier than actual , I had to undergo this scan twice—the first time was too early to detect anything clearly.
This was a transvaginal scan, where the doctor inserts a small ultrasound probe into the vaginal canal to get a clearer view of the uterus and pelvic organs. While not painful, it can feel slightly uncomfortable. But it gives much better accuracy during early pregnancy compared to a regular abdominal scan.
During this scan, I was diagnosed with a subchorionic hematoma—a small bleed in the uterine wall. It’s actually fairly common and often resolves on its own. I had no symptoms, but was advised to avoid strenuous activities, including exercise, and was prescribed progesterone to help support the pregnancy and reduce the risk of miscarriage. It resolved completely by the second trimester, which was confirmed in a follow-up scan.
NT Scan (Nuchal Translucency Scan):
My second scan, the NT scan, was done at 13 weeks. This one is a routine abdominal ultrasound used to screen for chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome (Trisomy 21) and other trisomies.
The NT scan measures the fluid at the back of the baby’s neck and is combined with a “dual marker” blood test for greater accuracy—together, they offer a detection rate of nearly 80%.
Why the scans felt so stressful?
Before every scan, I felt incredibly anxious—like I was about to receive the results of an important exam that could change everything. You’re holding your breath, just waiting to hear that everything is okay.
After being diagnosed with the subchorionic hematoma, I was understandably upset. I couldn’t stop googling things, reading every forum, every article—trying to understand what it meant and whether it would affect my baby. When we were testing for chromosomal abnormalities, I remember being very stressed. During the scan, I found myself constantly watching the doctor’s face, trying to read any hint of reassurance—or concern. The silence during those moments felt so heavy.
Looking back, I realize this is all part and parcel of pregnancy—the fear, the overthinking, the endless searching for reassurance. It’s completely natural to feel this way. Every scan or doctor appointment feels like a checkpoint, and all you want is a little confirmation that your baby is doing well.
What helped me during those moments was talking to my partner. Sharing my fears, voicing my thoughts aloud, and simply having him there made me feel more grounded. Sometimes, just being reminded that I wasn’t alone in this made a world of difference.
My biggest takeaway? It’s okay to feel overwhelmed. Just take it one step at a time, trust your medical team, and lean on your support system when you need to. Most of the scary sounding things are manageable and, in many cases, resolve on their own because your body is working on it.
