July 14, 2026
42 Biological Steps to Pregnancy
From primordial germ cells to implantation and everything in between, it takes a lot to get pregnant. Here's how it works at the microscopic level.
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The first look, and a lot of feelings. Go in prepared.
Private by design, and general guidance to help you make the most of your visit. Not a substitute for medical advice.
An early pregnancy ultrasound checks how a pregnancy is developing in the first weeks, confirming its location, dating, and heartbeat where possible. It can bring relief, questions, or a mix of both. A little prep helps you take in what you learn. Here is what to prepare, what to ask, and how to follow up.
Note the first day of your last period and any positive test date, since these help with dating. Ask whether the scan is abdominal or transvaginal and whether to arrive with a full or empty bladder, since it varies.
Track any symptoms, such as bleeding, cramping, or a change in how you feel, and list your current medications and any past pregnancies or losses. Consider whether you want someone with you.
The scan is usually quick, and it may be abdominal or transvaginal depending on how early you are. It is normal for very early scans to be inconclusive and to need a repeat, so ask what the images show and what it means for you.
Take notes as the doctor talks, record the meeting (with their permission!) in myStoria, or add a quick voice note to myStoria as soon as possible afterward so that you are not relying on memory alone.
Before you leave the clinic, ask for copies of anything from the visit, like lab results, assessments, or referrals, and upload them to myStoria to keep your history complete. (If you aren't able to get copies, connect with Concierge and we can help you source them!)
Note what the scan showed, your dating, and any next appointment. If a repeat scan is needed to see more, that is common early on and does not by itself mean something is wrong.
If you have heavy bleeding, severe or one-sided abdominal pain, or shoulder-tip pain, seek urgent care rather than waiting. Otherwise, book any repeat scan or appointment that your provider suggests.
myStoria keeps your dates, symptoms, and scan results in one private place, so your appointment starts from a clear picture and early scans read as one story rather than scattered snapshots. Everything stays with you between visits, so each step builds on the last. When you want to talk something through, you can schedule a video consult in advance with a member of our team, several of whom are nurses.
This page offers general information to help you prepare for and follow up on your early pregnancy ultrasound. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have heavy bleeding, severe or one-sided abdominal pain, or shoulder-tip pain, seek urgent care. myStoria video consults are scheduled in advance.
