Early Pregnancy Assessment

Many studies have shown that approximately 1 in 5 pregnancies result in unfortunate miscarriages, with the majority occurring within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Therefore, early detection of signs of miscarriage or complications is crucial to ensuring the health of both the pregnant woman and the fetus. Common early pregnancy problems include abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, the inability to determine gestational age, and a history of infertility or previous pregnancy complications.

The ideal timing for early pregnancy assessment is within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. During this time, doctors will provide consultations and perform ultrasound scans for the pregnant woman. In terms of gestational age, an ultrasound scan can be performed around 5–6 weeks to observe the gestational sac (in which the baby is growing) and the yolk sac. At 6-7 weeks, the length of the fetal pole (the future baby) can be measured, and the fetal heartbeat can be seen. By 8–11 weeks, the head, body, limbs, and movements of the fetus can be observed.

Early pregnancy assessment helps confirm the presence of pregnancy within the womb. It also determines the gestational age, estimated due date, and number of fetuses, while assessing the possible causes of early pregnancy problems.