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Concierge early pregnancy imaging · London

Early pregnancy ultrasound, reassurance, dating and viability from 6 weeks — transabdominal and transvaginal.

A private early pregnancy scan (6-11 weeks) confirms viability, dating, location (intrauterine vs ectopic) and the number of fetuses. Transvaginal scanning is often needed at very early gestations. Same-day appointments and consultant sonographer report.

See what the scan shows
A sonographer performing an early pregnancy ultrasound in a private London clinic

Why patients choose us

  • 01

    The right hands

    We route you to a consultant sonographer or early-pregnancy specialist — the person who scans you is the person who reports it.

  • 02

    Often answers same-day

    Viability, dating and location are usually confirmed at the appointment, with the written report to follow.

  • 03

    Independent, and free

    We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.

Key facts

The essentials of an early pregnancy scan, at a glance.

A concise summary of what the scan is, how it’s performed and what you leave with.

  • Definition

    An early ultrasound in the first trimester (6-11 weeks) to confirm viability, dating and location.

  • Modality

    Transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound, as needed.

  • What it confirms

    Viability, gestational dating and intrauterine vs ectopic location.

  • Detects

    Ectopic pregnancy and molar pregnancy.

  • Access

    Same-day appointments available in a private clinic setting.

  • Deliverable

    Written report and images from the reporting sonographer.

Preparation and steps

What happens, in order.

A short, careful sequence — brief history, the right window on the pregnancy, then the report in your hand.

  1. 01

    Consultation with sonographer or EPU

    Brief history — dates, symptoms, previous pregnancies — before scanning begins.

  2. 02

    Full bladder for transabdominal

    A full bladder improves the transabdominal window in early gestation.

  3. 03

    Empty bladder for transvaginal

    For transvaginal scanning, you’ll be asked to empty your bladder immediately before.

  4. 04

    Warm ultrasound gel

    Contact gel is warmed, so the scan is comfortable from the first touch.

  5. 05

    Cardiac activity confirmed from ~6 weeks

    A fetal heartbeat is typically visible from around 6 weeks of gestation.

  6. 06

    Fetal pole and gestational sac measured

    Crown-rump length and sac measurements are used to date the pregnancy.

  7. 07

    Written report and images

    You leave with printed images and a written report from the sonographer.

What it shows

What an early pregnancy scan actually answers.

Early ultrasound answers a small set of very important questions — location, viability, dating, and whether there is more than one pregnancy.

  • Intrauterine pregnancy

    Confirms the pregnancy is inside the uterine cavity.

  • Fetal heart activity

    Cardiac pulsation is typically visible from around 6 weeks.

  • Gestational age / dating

    Crown-rump length gives an accurate first-trimester date.

  • Multiple pregnancy

    Identifies twins or higher-order multiples and chorionicity where possible.

  • Ectopic pregnancy

    A pregnancy implanted outside the uterine cavity — most commonly tubal.

  • Molar pregnancy

    Gestational trophoblastic disease with characteristic ultrasound appearances.

  • Threatened miscarriage

    Bleeding with a viable intrauterine pregnancy on ultrasound.

  • Red flag: suspected ectopic pregnancy — urgent gynaecology same-day pathway

    Suspected ectopic is a same-day gynaecology emergency, not a private booking.

Next steps

What happens after the scan.

The route depends on the finding — reassurance, rescan, blood monitoring, or a specific miscarriage or ectopic pathway.

  • Reassurance if viable IUP

    A viable intrauterine pregnancy on scan is the reassurance most women come for.

  • Repeat scan in 1-2 weeks if uncertain

    Uncertain viability or dating typically warrants a rescan after 7-14 days.

  • Serum β-hCG monitoring

    Serial β-hCG trends help clarify a pregnancy of unknown location.

  • Anti-D for RhD-negative women with bleeding

    Anti-D immunoglobulin is offered per RCOG guidance where indicated.

  • Expectant, medical or surgical management of miscarriage

    Three routes — the choice is yours, informed by clinical picture and preference.

  • Early pregnancy unit follow-up

    Onward referral to an EPU for continuing care and monitoring.

  • Support and bereavement pathway

    Access to specialist bereavement support after pregnancy loss.

  • Multi-disciplinary team review

    Complex or molar pregnancies are reviewed by a specialist MDT.

Red flags

Situations that need urgent, in-person assessment.

These are same-day emergencies — go to A&E or an early pregnancy unit rather than waiting for a private slot.

  • Ectopic pregnancy

  • Molar pregnancy

  • Missed miscarriage

  • Incomplete miscarriage

  • Heavy vaginal bleeding

  • Rhesus sensitisation

  • Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

  • Ovarian torsion

  • Pelvic infection

Sources

Guidance this page draws on.

UK guidance from NICE and the RCOG, plus professional standards from BMUS and the SCoR.

Reviewed 2026-07-30 · Next review 2027-07-30 · Reading time 5 min · Reviewer Pulse Atlas Editorial Board, .

Frequently asked

Everything we get asked about early pregnancy scans.

Quick answers on timing, transvaginal scanning, safety, and what happens if the scan finds something unexpected.

  • When can an early pregnancy scan be done?

    From around 6 weeks of gestation, when a fetal heartbeat is typically first visible. Scans done earlier than 6 weeks often need to be repeated because the pregnancy may be too small to assess viability reliably.

  • Will I need a transvaginal (internal) scan?

    Often, yes — particularly at very early gestations, or if the uterus is tilted, or if the transabdominal view is limited. Transvaginal scanning gives a much clearer picture in the first trimester and is safe in pregnancy.

  • What does the scan actually confirm?

    Four things: that the pregnancy is inside the uterus (not ectopic), that there is a fetal heartbeat (viability), how far along the pregnancy is (dating), and whether it is a single or multiple pregnancy.

  • Is an early pregnancy ultrasound safe?

    Yes. Diagnostic ultrasound uses sound waves, not radiation, and is the standard imaging test used in pregnancy at every stage.

  • What if the scan shows an ectopic or molar pregnancy?

    Suspected ectopic pregnancy is a same-day gynaecology emergency and we arrange an urgent same-day pathway. Molar pregnancy is referred for specialist multi-disciplinary review and follow-up.

  • How quickly can I be seen?

    Same-day and next-day appointments are usually available in our network, including evenings and Saturdays.

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In practice, in London

The honest picture around early pregnancy ultrasound scan in London

With early pregnancy ultrasound scan, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it — not whether the scan is available. Waiting lists on the NHS for early pregnancy ultrasound scan vary widely by borough and by how the GP letter reads. Privately in London, we can normally offer a slot inside the same week, sometimes within 48 hours if there’s a cancellation. The difference isn’t clinical quality — the consultants are frequently the same faces you’d see on the NHS — it’s the calendar.

In practice, a private early pregnancy ultrasound scan appointment in London means a named consultant, a proper hour in the room (or the equivalent on a video call), and a report you can actually read. Most of the imaging suites and endoscopy units we use sit within a mile of Harley Street or in Chelsea and Fulham, and turnaround on findings is measured in days, not weeks. For early pregnancy ultrasound scan specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.

We’re careful about what a private pathway for early pregnancy ultrasound scan can and can’t promise. It can compress a wait, put you in front of a subspecialist quickly, and get a proper report in your hands within a week. It can’t rewrite what the imaging or the bloods say. Setting that expectation up front tends to make the whole experience less stressful.

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