At what gestational age is the first ultrasound typically performed?

The first ultrasound in pregnancy is typically performed between 6-8 weeks of gestation. During this period, the ultrasound is essential for confirming an intrauterine pregnancy, detecting the fetal heartbeat, and dating the pregnancy accurately.

At 6-8 weeks, the developing embryo is large enough to be visualized, and a transvaginal ultrasound can often provide clearer images compared to a transabdominal one. This early scan is crucial for assessing the viability of the pregnancy, especially since this is a sensitive period where miscarriages can occur.

Performing an ultrasound earlier than this gestational age, such as at 4-6 weeks, may not provide reliable information as the embryo may be too small to visualize or the heartbeat may not yet be detected. Similarly, scheduling the ultrasound too late, such as at 10-12 weeks, could miss the opportunity for early assessment of the pregnancy's progress and potential complications.

Therefore, the 6-8 week timeframe is optimal for conducting the first ultrasound.