Most scans are carried out by sonographers. You may need to have a full bladder for this scan, as this makes the ultrasound image clearer. You can ask your midwife or doctor before the scan if this is the case. The dating scan usually takes about 20 minutes.

How long is a dating ultrasound?

What happens at a dating scan? The dating scan usually takes about 30 minutes (NHS 2015a, Healthlink BC 2019, SOGC 2019). Nearly all ultrasounds after 10 weeks can be done through your tummy (Butt and Lim 2014). Most hospitals or ultrasound clinics ask you to arrive with a full bladder.

What can I expect to see at an 8 week ultrasound?

The heartbeat is also now detectable on a scan. Your baby is now making spontaneous movements. The limb buds are growing rapidly and now resemble arms and legs. The arms now also have a functional wrist joint, and the digits of the hands and feet are beginning to separate and become less webbed in appearance.