When can you see something on an ultrasound?

[bright_eyes]

How far along do you have to be before anything will show up on an ultra sound? I don't remember when my last period was but I think it was the beginning of Dec, maybe the end of Nov. I took a pregnancy test on Jan 5 and it was negative but took another on Tues (Jan. 12) and it was positive. I would have thought that my period was that long ago, I should have had a postive test on the 5th. I think I might have ovulated quite late, maybe around Christmas. So my guess would be that I am 5 weeks pregnant. I have an ultrasound booked for Jan. 26 to determine how far along I am. So I could be only be 7 weeks then, but possibly further. Do you think that I will be far enough along for them to see anything?

[tomsTXmom]

At five weeks, there is a sack. I don't remember if at six or eight you can see a heartbeat.

Here's a link for you: http://www.umm.edu/pregnancy/000088.htm

Best wishes.

Tracy

[it's just apples]

At six you can usually make out a heartbeat on u/s, and at eight you can see a whole lot more of baby (arms, etc.).

[zubeldia]

Hi there,

I think you can see the early signs of a gestational sac around 4.5-5 weeks. After that you can see the yolk sac (inside of the gestational sac) around 5-5.5 weeks, and a fetal pole soon after. A heartbeat can often be detected at 6 weeks via tansvaginal ultrasound... So, if you're 7 weeks pregnant you should be able to see that little heart beating fllcker

Good luck!

Zubee

[boscopup]

7 weeks should be totally fine to see a baby with a heartbeat. I was 7.5 weeks when I had a dating u/s with DS#2. He looked like one big heart.

[Limabean1975]

Just prepare yourself- at early ultrasounds, sometimes they can't see a heartbeat, and no matter what they say, this scares a pregnant mama! It's totally normal not to see one in the early weeks.

[bright_eyes]

So even just seeing a heart beat is enough to date how far along I am?

[the_lissa]

I saw a h/b at 6 weeks and change.

[Chamomile Girl]

They determine how far along you are my measuring the embryo. At that early of a date it will likely be an inter-vaginal ultra sound just so you know what to be prepared for. I was very lucky that they were actually able to "hear" a heartbeat at my 7 week appointment as well as see it! So such things are possible if unlikely.

[mytwogirls]

Originally Posted by bright_eyes

So even just seeing a heart beat is enough to date how far along I am?

I work as an RN for my Ob/Gyn and yes we can date a pregnancy at 7 weeks. The doc will take a head to rump measurement and then will give you an EDD. If your doc has 3D transvaginal ultrasound you can see quite a bit actually! It is really neat to hear that heart beating away.

[lj2blessed]

My first appt was at 10w3d and they did an ultrasound to date. I was soooo excited to see a little "baby", as well as a strong "blinking" heartbeat! At first I was crushed that I had to wait so long, but ended up being so glad that I could see so much at that appointment.

Wish you the best!

[bella99]

I had my first u/s at 5 weeks, 5 days (at my RE's office and dates were exact). They told me not to expect much, they were just looking for a fetal pole and yolk sac. We saw both and the hb, beating away at 110 beats/second.

However, that is unusual, and the hb is usually not visible until b/t 7 and 8 weeks.