IVF and the Ultrasound Schedule

Scheduling the first ultrasound after IVF treatment is an emotionally charged event for patients of The Center for Fertility and Gynecology. Most patients feel a mixture of hope and anxiety. After the extraordinary rush of being greeted with a positive pregnancy test, the ultrasound will provide the confirmation patients need that the pregnancy is developing normally. The period between scheduling the ultrasound and actually having the ultrasound can be as stressful and as trying as any period during the fertility treatment process.

Our esteemed fertility specialists, Dr. Michael Vermesh and Dr. Vuk Jovanovic, discuss IVF and the ultrasound schedule with patients during their initial consultations at our Los Angeles, CA fertility clinic so that they know precisely what to expect before committing to treatment. Even so, most patients cannot anticipate how difficult awaiting that initial ultrasound will be. By the same token, those patients who are met with good news cannot possibly predict the relief and joy they will experience.

There are no guarantees when it comes to IVF; however, by entrusting your future family to experienced fertility specialists, you are doing what you can to improve your chances of introducing a beautiful new life into this world. We encourage you to schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Vermesh or Dr. Jovanovic at The Center for Fertility and Gynecology today.

The First Ultrasound Appointment

The first ultrasound is usually scheduled to occur between the sixth and seventh week of pregnancy, or at about four to five weeks after embryo transfer. The only time we would schedule an ultrasound at an earlier date is when we suspect the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy, or a pregnancy outside of the uterus, in which case we would schedule the appointment at about three-and-a-half weeks after embryo transfer.

Ideally, we perform the first ultrasound at about the middle of the sixth week of pregnancy, when we should be able to reliably detect the fetus with a heartbeat. We will also be able to determine whether it is a single or multiple pregnancy and whether the pregnancy is progressing normally. If there are potential problems with the pregnancy, we should be able to identify what those problems are with some level of certainty.

In this initial ultrasound scan, we should, but won’t necessarily, be able to see the gestational sac, the yolk sac, and the embryo.

Further ultrasound appointments will be scheduled at approximately week eight to nine of pregnancy and at week 12 of pregnancy. All ultrasounds are performed vaginally, as vaginal ultrasounds produce the clearest, most precise images. There is no need to worry about vaginal ultrasounds causing any harm to the fetus or affecting the pregnancy in any way.

Learn More about IVF and the Ultrasound Schedule

If you would like to learn more about IVF and the ultrasound schedule, or if you wish to schedule your initial consultation with one of our fertility specialists, we encourage you to contact The Center for Fertility and Gynecology today.