Amara had taken three home pregnancy tests — all positive. But a positive test only confirms the pregnancy hormone is present. She needed a scan to confirm the pregnancy was inside the uterus, was developing normally, and had a heartbeat. At Mascot Healthcare, she saw it flickering at 6 weeks 2 days.
Teacher, Surulere. Presented at 6 weeks 2 days gestation by LMP — positive home pregnancy test 10 days earlier. No significant symptoms beyond mild breast tenderness and nausea. No previous pregnancy. Anxious to confirm viability and rule out ectopic pregnancy.
Early Pregnancy ScanAmara had been trying for this pregnancy for 8 months. When the first line appeared on the test strip, she did not believe it — she took a second test immediately. Positive. A third the next morning. Positive. She called her mother. She cried. She told her husband that evening.
But the anxiety began immediately. She had read online about ectopic pregnancies. She knew someone who had experienced one. She was also unsure exactly how far along she was — her periods were slightly irregular, so her LMP calculation could be off by 1–2 weeks. She needed to see a scan.
At Mascot Healthcare, the sonographer began with an abdominal scan, then used a small internal (transvaginal) probe for better detail at this early stage. The screen showed the uterus clearly — and within it, a small gestational sac containing a tiny white dot. "That's your baby," the sonographer said. "And that flickering — that's the heartbeat. 124 beats per minute — completely normal."
A positive home pregnancy test tells you that the pregnancy hormone (hCG) is present — but not where the pregnancy is or whether it is viable. An early pregnancy ultrasound at 6–8 weeks confirms intrauterine location, measures the embryo, and detects the heartbeat — providing essential early reassurance.
Three positive urine pregnancy tests taken over 10 days — confirming elevated hCG, but not the location or viability of the pregnancy.
A pregnancy in the fallopian tube (ectopic) is a medical emergency — an early scan confirms the pregnancy is safely inside the uterus.
The heart begins beating at 5–6 weeks. A heartbeat confirmed on scan significantly reduces the risk of early miscarriage.
Confirming gestational age by crown-rump length (CRL) measurement — more accurate than LMP calculation alone.
The first trimester carries the highest risk of miscarriage — seeing a heartbeat provides significant reassurance.
Amara's primary fear was ectopic pregnancy — a pregnancy developing in the fallopian tube rather than the uterus. She had researched it enough to know the symptoms (one-sided pain, shoulder tip pain) but was aware that early ectopics could be asymptomatic. The scan was the only way to confirm the pregnancy was inside the uterus.
She was also afraid of finding an empty sac — a "blighted ovum" — where the gestational sac is present but contains no embryo. Or of finding no heartbeat. These fears, she said later, made the first 5 minutes of the scan the longest of her life.
Transvaginal ultrasound: single intrauterine gestational sac — normal location, no adnexal (fallopian tube) pregnancy. Crown-rump length (CRL): 7.2 mm — corresponding to 6 weeks 3 days gestation. Fetal heart rate: 124 bpm — normal for this gestational age.
Amara was given a scan report and a dating slip — confirming 6 weeks 3 days gestation and an estimated due date. She was counselled on antenatal registration, folic acid supplementation, and when her next scan should be (12-week dating scan).
The sonographer printed a still image of the scan for Amara to take home. "That's the first photograph of your baby," she said. Amara held it for a long time.
Single viable intrauterine pregnancy. CRL 7.2 mm = 6 weeks 3 days. FHR 124 bpm. No ectopic features. No subchorionic haematoma.
Antenatal registration; folic acid supplementation; next scan at 11–14 weeks (dating/NT scan); booked for anomaly scan at 18–22 weeks.
Dating scan at 12 weeks: NT 1.6 mm (normal); CRL 53 mm. Anomaly scan at 20 weeks: all structures normal. Delivery at 39 weeks — healthy baby girl.
Amara delivered a healthy baby girl at 39 weeks. The confirmation scan at 6 weeks gave her the reassurance she needed to begin antenatal care with confidence.
A positive pregnancy test is the beginning — not the confirmation. An early scan at 6–8 weeks tells you the pregnancy is inside the uterus (not ectopic), has a heartbeat, and gives you an accurate gestational age for planning antenatal care.
Ectopic pregnancy is a medical emergency that can be silent until it ruptures. Every woman with a positive test should have an early scan — the peace of mind is immediate and the safety information is essential.
Three positive tests are encouraging — but only a scan can confirm the heartbeat, the location, and that everything is as it should be at 6 weeks.
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