The Big Questions About Your Big 12-Week Scan

Pregnancy milestones don’t come much bigger, more exciting and yet more scary than the 12 week scan. If yours is looming, you might be wondering what to expect. On the medical side of things, you should familiarise yourself with the NHS advice here (you should also have been given lots of info when your appointment came through) but we thought it was a good time to cover some of the other common questions that might be going through your mind as your gear up for the big day…

Here are some common questions that might be going through your mind before your big 12 week scan.

What is a 12-week scan?

A 12-week scan is a pregnancy appointment in which you receive an ultrasound scan. The scan is a non-invasive medical imaging test, that uses high-frequency sound waves (aka ultrasound) that make it so a medical professional can take a look at the bundle of joy you’re growing inside your womb. 

While it’s super exciting to ‘see’ your baby for the first time, there are lots of other things that you find out at your 12-week scan. You learn how many weeks pregnant you are, do some routine checks and make sure the pregnancy is viable. Plus, you get to take home a photo of your baby. All in all, it generally takes about 20 minutes. 

What happens during my 12-week scan?

Before you take yourself off to the hospital, you’ll get a letter letting you know where you need to go, at what time and what you’ll need to bring. 

Once you arrive, you’ll likely be asked to chug a tonne of water. Not only to keep you nice and hydrated, but mainly to help the sonographer see your baby more clearly. This is because your full bladder pushes baby up closer to the surface so they can say hello.

Then, in comes the gel. Your sonographer will put it all over your belly, so try and wear something with easy access - more leggings and t-shirt, less velvet jumpsuit. It might feel a little frosty, but it’s necessary for the probe to slide over your skin like Torvill and Dean on the rink. The sonographer will apply a tiny bit of pressure with the probe, but don’t worry. This doesn’t hurt you or your baby. It does, however, help you get a lovely clear picture of your little one!

Speaking of, your sonographer will be the first person to have a peek at your baby. They’ll have the screen angled away from you just while they examine, but may turn the screen around to show you your babe in action. You might even get to hear their little heartbeat, too. 

Who can come with me to my 12-week scan?

This can vary depending on your local trust, and any restrictions that could be operating at the time, but generally you can take your partner with you to the scan - and we’ve all seen the movies; it can be a truly magical moment to see your baby together for the first time, even if they do look a bit like a tiny grey alien. If you don’t have a partner or they’re unable to come along, you might want to bring a close friend or family member, which is totally fine too. 

If you have another child and don’t have anyone to care for them, it is sometimes OK to take them along, but ask ahead and bear in mind that this might become tricky for you in the unlikely event of any complications. Plus we all know that appointments can run late and long, so if you can get childcare, we’d definitely recommend it.  

Does it hurt to get my 12-week scan?

Your ultrasound scan shouldn’t hurt, it will simply feel like a pressure on your tummy. And it can’t hurt your baby either - they’re very well-cushioned in there and your sonographer knows what they’re doing, promise.

Will I be able to find out the gender at my 12-week scan?

Nope. It’s too early for a sonographer to confidently tell you if you’re having a girl or a boy and this isn’t the purpose of the scan. There are various theories floating around the internet that say you can tell the baby’s sex by the shape of their skull and their “nub” during the 12 week scan, but you won’t be told this on the day and it’s best to wait it out until things are a little more conclusive. So hold off on buying the adorable pink/blue onesies for now. We know, we know, it’s hard.

So what will I find out about my baby?

After your 12 week ultrasound, you’ll have an estimated due date, and you’ll know if you’re having twins. Or triplets. Or quads. Or… you get the idea. You’ll also know if you have an increased possibility of any genetic disorders, although nothing is confirmed from this initial scan; if your scan raises any potential issues, you’ll be referred for further tests, scans and appointments.

What if something isn’t right?

We know this is the big one. While your first scan is exciting, it can be undeniably nerve-racking too, even for the most zen of people. Unfortunately, some expectant parents do find out that their pregnancy isn’t viable, or that there are complications. This happens in less than 5% of 12 week ultrasound scans and, in these scenarios, your sonographer will bring in a doctor to discuss the issues further. 

If all is well, the good news is, from this point of pregnancy onwards, the chances of anything going wrong dramatically reduce.

So what next?

If all has gone swimmingly, you won’t have another scan until around 20 weeks (which is when your sonographer can more confidently predict the sex). You’ll usually be given a print out of the ultrasound, although some trusts do charge for this. You might be booked in for further appointments and scans, or you might just be sent home, feeling SO emotional about getting a glimpse of your baby. And you might now be ready to tell the world. It’s a very exciting time.  

We hope everything goes well.