First Trimester Pregnancy Care & Early Pregnancy Scans Cardiff (from 6 weeks)
Congratulations! Now you’re pregnant — what happens next?
The first trimester or early pregnancy scan (from 6 weeks) is one of the most important early pregnancy assessments, providing reassurance about your baby’s development and helping guide the next steps in your care.
The first trimester of pregnancy is usually an exciting and enjoyable time, but for some parents-to-be it can also bring anxiety. There are often many questions — about staying healthy, what to eat, how to exercise, whether your baby is developing normally, whether there is a heartbeat, and how to prepare for the months ahead.
We provide early pregnancy scans and first trimester care in Cardiff and across the UK, combining consultant-led advice with access to scans, screening tests and personalised support.
This is also the stage when many parents consider early reassurance scans, first trimester screening and genetic testing. This may include NIPT from 10 weeks and carrier screening in early pregnancy if not performed before conception.
Many people choose to supplement their standard NHS care with private scans, tests and consultations to provide additional reassurance. Whether you would like a single scan, a specific test, or a full private antenatal care package, our consultant-led team will guide you through your options with clarity and support. Click the link to read more about NHS Pregnancy Scans.
Learn more about our full range of pregnancy scans and genetic testing services at Innermost Healthcare.
What can be seen at 6 weeks on an early pregnancy scan?
At around 6 weeks of pregnancy an early pregnancy scan can show:
- Gestational Sac
- Yolk Sac
- Fetal Pole
- Early heartbeat (in most cases)
In some case, a repeat scan may be recommended depending on dates and findings.
First Trimester Scan and Early Pregnancy Care (up to 13 weeks)
In the very early stages of pregnancy in the first trimester there are lots of changes to your body, hormones and circulation. Many women will experience breast tenderness, extreme tiredness, nausea and vomiting and running to the bathroom more frequently to empty their bladder. These symptoms usually improve or disappear at the end of the first trimester by about week 13 or 14, although for some women it can last longer.
Some pregnant women experience excessive nausea and vomiting, even very early on. They might be sick many times a day and be unable to keep food or drink down. This is known as Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) and can be very serious. Safe treatments are available and we recommend a medical consultation as soon as you feel that these early pregnancy symptoms are becoming problematic or if you’re at all concerned.
Finally, bleeding in early pregnancy is not unusual and in most cases will settle but in some cases it may lead to a miscarriage and an early pregnancy or first trimester scan would be advised to check for a heartbeat.
From 5 weeks
Modern pregnancy tests are positive from about 5 weeks after the last period (3 weeks after conception) and are usually very reliable. They work by measuring the levels of pregnancy hormone (hCG) in the urine, which is produced by the afterbirth (placenta). However, they don’t show if the pregnancy is in the right place, whether it is within the uterus or outside it in the tubes or pelvis known as an ectopic pregnancy, or whether it is viable.
It may however be useful to have paired hCG blood tests as levels double every 2 days in a normal ongoing pregnancy and this helps to exclude a non viable or ectopic pregnancy.
From 6 weeks
An early pregnancy scan from 6 weeks or first trimester scan can show that the pregnancy is in the right place and is not an ectopic pregnancy. The pregnancy sac can be measured to give some idea of your dates and estimated due date (EDD). This scan may be possible by scanning through your tummy area (transabdominal scan) but sometimes it may be necessary to perform an internal transvaginal scan.
It is also possible to tell if you are having a boy or a girl based on an Blue or Pink Early Gender Blood Test. We would always advise having an early pregnancy scan to check for viability and twins if having this test.
After 7 weeks
It should be possible to see a heartbeat to confirm viability, to identify multiple pregnancies and also to date the pregnancy, although dating is more accurate around 10-12 weeks.
If you haven’t had pre-pregnancy carrier screening, this is also the time to have a simple blood or saliva test to identify the risk of a baby inheriting a genetic condition from its parents. You can read more about carrier screening in early pregnancy on our dedicated page.
From 9-10 weeks
One of the important decisions at this time is whether or not to have screening for common chromosomal conditions like Down Syndrome, Edward Syndrome or Patau Syndrome. These conditions can cause learning difficulties, cardiac and other structural defects and have other implications for the baby including the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and lifelong health problems.
The NHS currently offers the Combined Test and only offers NIPT for patients who meet specific high-probability criteria; this means that about 15% of affected babies will still be missed.
At this time, Non Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) is the most accurate and safe screening test for many of these common chromosomal conditions. NIPT tests like TDL Veriseq Express are the most accurate screening tests for conditions like Down Syndrome, Edward Syndrome, Patau Syndrome, Turner Syndrome and the Natera Panorama can also screen for Di George Syndrome (22q11.2 deletion) and Triploidy.
The Medicover VeraGene will also screen for up to 100 single gene disorders like Cystic Fibrosis, B-Thalasaemia and Sickle Disease and the Concepto Absolute NIPT will screen ALL the chromosomes and is currently the most comprehensive NIPT test in the UK.
All our NIPT Tests include a FREE ULTRASOUND SCAN or FREE PHLEBOTOMY (blood draw) at home or work anywhere in the UK and Ireland.
For an even clearer check on your baby for genetic conditions you should also consider carrier screening for conditions like cystic fibrosis and the Natera Vistara NIPT for single gene disorders which are more common when the baby’s father is over 40 years old.
From 10 weeks
This is also the right time to be thinking about whether you might have any infections that could affect your pregnancy and your baby.
Rubella (German Measles) is a viral infection which can cause significant harm to an unborn baby especially in early pregnancy. It is wise to confirm your Rubella status to provide either reassurance that you’re immune or so you can take steps to avoid contact with anyone known to be infected.
It’s also very important to know whether you have any other infections or conditions such as Syphilis, HIV, Hepatitis, CMV, Toxoplasmosis, Parvovirus, Bacterial Vaginosis, Chlamydia and Herpes.
From 11-13 weeks
The NHS offer an early pregnancy scan to check viability, date the pregnancy, identify multiple pregnancies and some structural abnormalities. Optionally by measuring two hormones (hCG and PAPP-A) the Combined Test can screen for common trisomies but with only an 85% detection rate, compared to 99% for NIPT.
The PAPP-A blood test is however a useful marker for subsequent growth restriction and can be undertaken with us for those who have chosen not to have a Combined Test.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I have a first trimester scan?
A first trimester scan is usually performed between 6 and 13 weeks depending on the purpose, including reassurance, dating or screening.
What can a first trimester scan show?
A first trimester scan can confirm that the pregnancy is in the uterus, check for a heartbeat, determine the number of babies, estimate your due date and assess early development.
Is a first trimester scan safe?
Yes, ultrasound scans are considered safe in pregnancy. They use sound waves rather than radiation and are routinely used in both NHS and private care.
When should I consider NIPT?
NIPT can be performed from 10 weeks of pregnancy and is the most accurate screening test for common chromosomal conditions such as Down syndrome. It is often chosen by parents seeking early reassurance.
Can I have carrier screening in early pregnancy?
Yes, carrier screening can be performed before or during early pregnancy using a simple blood or saliva test. It helps identify the risk of inherited genetic conditions in your baby.
Our First Trimester Pregnancy Services
BabyCheck Package£500Early Scan and Consultation and Panorama Test with scan
- BabyComplete Package£3000Full antenatal care pregnancy package plus postnatal support
- Baby Reassure Package£500Weekly scans from 7 to 13 weeks
Blood TestsFrom £40A wide range of individual blood tests for blood group, antibody screens, liver function, diabetes, infections and more (usually ordered following a medical consultation with Dr Beattie)
- Blue Or Pink Early Gender Test£99Blue or Pink Gender Blood Test from 6 weeks
- Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)From £650A fine needle is guided using ultrasound through the abdominal wall into the placenta to allow a small sample to be taken for genetic or other studies. Karyotype and Array CGH options available.
- Early Pregnancy Consultation£250Early pregnancy medical consultation with Dr Bryan Beattie (Consultant in Obestetrics, Fetal & Maternal Medicine)
- Early Pregnancy Scan from 6 weeks in Cardiff£85A transabdominal early pregnancy scan in Cardiff (full bladder) to confirm the pregnancy is intrauterine (not ectopic), count the number of babies, check dating & heartbeat and identify some major abnormalities
NIPT Concepto Absolute£495One of our most comprehensive genome wide NIPT test. Screens ALL the chromosomes for deletions and duplications (>7mb) not just common conditions like Down Syndrome, Edward Syndrome, Patau Syndrome, Di George Syndrome (22q deletion), sex chromosome conditions like Turner Syndrome and some other genetic conditions. Fetal gender optional. Includes a FREE early viability/growth scan or FREE phlebotomy at home or work anywhere in the UK and Ireland.
NIPT Medicover VERAgene£495Screens for common genetic conditions including Down Syndrome, Edward Syndrome, Patau Syndrome, Di George Syndrome (22q deletion) and 100 single gene disorders like Cystic Fibrosis, Sickle Cell, B-Thalassaemia, and sex chromosome conditions like Turner Syndrome and some other genetic conditions. Fetal gender optional. Includes a FREE early viability/growth scan or FREE phlebotomy at home or work anywhere in the UK and Ireland.
NIPT Natera Panorama£395Screens for common conditions like Down Syndrome, Edward Syndrome, Patau Syndrome, Di George Syndrome (22q Deletion), Triploidy, sex chromosome conditions like Turner Syndrome and some other genetic conditions. Fetal gender optional. Includes a FREE early viability/growth scan or FREE phlebotomy at home or work anywhere in the UK and Ireland.
NIPT TDL Veriseq Express£395Screens for common conditions like Down Syndrome, Edward Syndrome, Patau Syndrome, sex chromosome conditions like Turner Syndrome and some other genetic conditions. Fetal gender optional. Results in 2-4 days. Includes a FREE early viability/growth scan or FREE phlebotomy at home or work anywhere in the UK and Ireland.
- Rubella Immunity Check£40A blood test to check your Rubella immunity
- PAPP-A£60A useful marker for placental function