Ivana Poku First pregnancy scan at 6 weeks is a big milestone.
And a pretty emotional one!
Before I had my first pregnancy scan, a part of me didn’t even believe there was a baby in there.
(Of course i didn’t know it was twins yet lol).
I mean, how could there be? I didn’t feel pregnant.
I wondered:
What if it’s all a mistake? What if the pregnancy test lied? What if they look at the screen and there’s nothing?
Sounds funny, but truth is most mums have these thoughts before their first scan.
Then the moment finally arrives, and it feels surreal.
You go through more emotions you can imagine.
It’s a swirling mix of fear, excitement, relief… and pure awe.
You’re holding your breath, smiling through tears, and can’t quite believe that tiny little blotch on the screen is a small baby growing inside you.
With all these emotions, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
That’s why I decided to write about what to expect so you can focus on the magic of the moment instead of feeling anxious.
In this post, I cover:
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What actually happens at a 6-week scan
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What you can realistically expect to see
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What’s normal not to see yet
If you want to take it a step further and discover more truths about new mum life, grab my FREE pdf – 9 Things I Wish I Knew Before Giving Birth.
Our First 6-Week Scan Was Unforgettable
I’ll never forget that day.
My husband, Yaw, and I were sitting in the waiting room, waiting for our first 6-week scan.
There was a woman there with two twin toddlers and a heavily pregnant belly.
Yaw turned to me and joked, “Can you imagine if we had twins?”
We laughed at the thought… not knowing that just a few minutes later, we’d be told we were, in fact, having twins.
If you’re wondering whether twins run in our families, the answer is yes – we both have a few sets in the family * but nobody had thought to tell us beforehand.
So the shock was real lol.
Setting the twin reveal aside, here’s what actually happened during the scan, step by step.
What to Expect During Your First Scan
Of course, what happens at your first scan depends on the country you live in.
But the general experience is pretty similar everywhere.
For me, my first scan (and all my scans) took place in London.
My husband Yaw was allowed to come in with me.
If you’re a single mum or your partner can’t make it, please don’t worry!
You can bring someone else, or go alone.
I saw plenty of women there on their own.
It’s not unusual or “sad”. It’s normal.
Once we were called in, I answered a few routine questions and lay down on the bed.
The midwife put gel on my belly and started moving the scanner across my belly.
A friend had warned me beforehand that I might not be able to see the monitor, because sometimes it faces the midwife, not the mum.
Sadly, she was right!
I had to really crane my neck to see anything.
Meanwhile, my husband was standing at the end of the bed with a perfect view (of course!).
I remember watching his face twist in confusion and then suddenly widen.
He clearly spotted something, but I had no idea what.
A few minutes into the scan, the midwife smiled and said, “You’re going to be busy… you’re having twins!”
I heard myself say, “Yes!” immediately, because honestly, I’d always wanted twins.
My husband had a mix of shock and delight, but overall, he was happy.
Once reality sank in, we both just laughed. It felt so perfectly “us.”
We had only been together a few weeks when I fell pregnant (and yes, it was planned, but we didn’t think it would happen on the first try!).
So the fact that the pregnancy turned out to be twins just felt like another plot twist in our story.
Seeing Them for the First Time
After the twin reveal, the midwife started pointing out every little body part on the screen: head, legs, arms, hands… all the details.
I’ll be honest, I could barely see any of it.
Well, the heads I could spot. The legs were maybe visible. But the feet or toes? No chance.
She explained everything in detail.
Even though half of it didn’t make sense to my eyes, I didn’t mind.
The whole experience was so extraordinary that everything else just faded into the background.
Seeing them and hearing their heartbeat was an otherworldly experience.
It felt like the first time I touched unconditional love.
It wasn’t like anything I had ever felt before.
The kind of love that fills you from the top of your head to the bottom of your toes, then keeps moving in circles, until you feel as though you’re floating, wrapped in ultimate joy and happiness.
All the “negative” thoughts or worries you had until that moment often just melt away when you see your baby (or babies!) moving on the screen.
It’s pure magic in action.
At the end of the scan, we were given a few pictures – the most precious photographs I had got up to that point.
Sometimes, you don’t get pictures at the scan though.
It all depends on the baby’s (or babies’) position – sometimes you get a clear shot, sometimes not.
But don’t worry, if you don’t get a picture at your first scan, you’ll definitely get one at the next one.
It looks something like this:
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What You Can Actually See at 6 Weeks
Now onto the practical side!
Here’s the thing most first time mums don’t realise: at 6 weeks, your baby is tiny like a grain of rice.
What you might see is:
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A little round shape inside the gestational sac
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A flicker that could be the heartbeat
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Maybe even two sacs… like in my case 🙂
And all of this is completely normal.
If you don’t see much yet, it doesn’t mean anything is wrong.
Dates can be off by a few days (or even more), and that tiny difference can change what appears on screen.
This early, even seeing “something is there” is already a good sign.
What Happens if You Don’t See Much Yet
Most mums panic if the midwife goes quiet, the monitor looks empty, or the heartbeat isn’t visible.
And that reaction is completely understandable. At this stage, everything feels huge and fragile.
But here’s the important thing:
At 6 weeks, it is very common not to see much.
Ovulation might have happened a little later.
Implantation might have taken a few extra days.
Even being 5–7 days earlier than you thought can make a huge difference to what shows up on the scan.
In many cases, the midwife will tell you to come back in a few days to give your baby more time to grow.
If that happens, try not to assume the worst.
(Easier said than done, I know!)
For many mums, the next scan shows a heartbeat and a growing baby.
Of course, sometimes a lack of development can mean something isn’t progressing as it should.
Your midwife or doctor will guide you with care and clarity if that’s the case.
So if you walk out with a follow up appointment instead of a photo, don’t think something is wrong.
This is very common at 6 weeks.
If you want to discover more truths about life as a new mum people don’t talk about, grab my FREE pdf – 9 Things I Wish I Knew Before Giving Birth.
Will I Have a Transvaginal Scan?
Okay, let’s talk about the thing no one warns you about…
Sometimes the scan won’t be on your belly.
At 6 weeks, many hospitals use a transvaginal scan because it gives a clearer picture this early on.
And yes, the name sounds terrifying, but I promise:
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It’s not painful
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It doesn’t hurt the baby
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It’s over pretty quickly
Think of it as the medical version of “let’s just get a better look.”
If you’d rather not have an internal scan, that’s totally fine too.
Sometimes they’ll do the normal tummy scan instead, but at 6 weeks things can be a bit trickier to see that way.
Don’t worry though, your midwife will talk you through it, explain what’s happening, and let you know why they think one option is better than the other.
Does a 6-Week Scan Confirm the Due Date?
A lot of people think the first scan sets your due date forever, but actually…
At 6 weeks, the due date is usually just an estimate.
The baby is so tiny that even half a millimetre changes the maths.
Most mums get a more accurate “official” due date at the 12 week scan.
Still, your early scan may give you a rough idea, which can be pretty exciting.
Can You See the Baby’s Gender at 6 Weeks?
Short answer: no, not yet!
At 6 weeks, your baby is very tiny, just a tiny little blob with a heartbeat.
There’s absolutely no way to tell the gender this early.
Most parents find out around 16–20 weeks.
So if you’re hoping for a sneak peek… try not to get your hopes up.
And even if the midwife gives you her “opinion,” take it with a pinch of salt.
It’s just a guess at this stage.
How You Might Feel Afterwards
I can’t stress this high enough.
If you don’t beam with happiness at your first scan, that’s ok!
I was happy at my frist scan, biut had a breakdown at the 12 week gender scan. (You can read about it in the post Gender disapointment is real – and here’s how to cope).
After your first scan, you might feel:
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Relief (phew, there’s actually a baby in there!)
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Overwhelmed (this just got real)
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Even more excited
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Numb
- Sad
Whatever you feel, it’s valid.
Your world has just changed, after all.
Wrapping It Up
Your first 6-week scan is magical, emotional, and sometimes a little overwhelming.
But now you know what to expect, what’s normal to see (or not see), and that all the “what ifs” are completely normal.
Remember: even if the scan is tiny, unclear, or you’re asked to come back, it doesn’t mean anything is wrong.
What matters is that you saw your baby – or babies! – for the first time.
Believe me, that’s something you’ll carry with you forever.
Feeling Anxious About Becoming a Mum?
Seeing your little one on the screen is just the beginning of your journey.
Before you go, grab my FREE pdf – 9 Things I Wish I Knew Before Giving Birth.
Inside, you’ll discover:
⭐ Shocking secrets about new mum life that prenatal classes leave out
⭐ Why having all sorts of “weird” thoughts and feelings is actually normal
⭐ The biggest mistakes new mums make (so that you don’t have to)
⭐ Simple, little known tips that will help you be the best mum you can be
⭐ How to protect your mental wellbeing
and more!
Click here to grab your PDF for free.
FAQs About 6 Week Pregnancy Scan
Do I need a full bladder?
Some hospitals ask for it, some don’t. If they do, you’ll know, because they’ll tell you in your appointment letter. If they don’t, you’re fine as you are.
Can I bring someone?
Yes, usually. Partner, mum, friend, sister… or you can go alone. Many mums do, and it’s completely normal.
Will I get a photo?
Often yes, but not always. If you want one, feel free to ask. Sometimes they give it automatically, sometimes you have to request (or even pay £1 – wild, I know).
Will I see movement?
Maybe… but don’t expect a tiny gymnast just yet. At this stage, they’re barely big enough to spot at all, so movement is a bonus, not the expectation.
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