By Yianni Kiromitis u2014 PgC Medical Ultrasound, BSc (Hons). HCPC-registered Sonographer (RA38415)
Medically reviewed by Yianni Kiromitis, HCPC-registered Sonographer (RA38415) — 15 July 2026
Last reviewed: 15 July 2026
A nine-week pregnancy scan usually shows a baby measuring around 23 millimetres from crown to rump u2014 about the size of a grape. The heartbeat is typically at its fastest this week, often between 150 and 170 beats per minute, and early limb movements may be visible. It is one of the most exciting early scans, because the baby is beginning to look recognisably human.
What the scan shows at 9 weeks
At nine weeks, the embryo measures roughly 23 millimetres from crown to rump. The head is still large in proportion to the body, but the arm and leg buds have grown, and you may see the baby making tiny, jerky movements. The fetal heart rate is usually at its peak this week, often beating between 150 and 170 times per minute.
During the scan, the sonographer will confirm the pregnancy is viable and safely located inside the uterus, measure the crown-rump length to give an accurate estimated due date, check the number of babies, and note the heart rate.
Abdominal or internal scan?
At nine weeks, it is often possible to get a good view using an abdominal scan (over the tummy), provided you arrive with a full bladder to lift the uterus out of the pelvis. However, if the uterus is tilted backward (retroverted) or the abdominal view is not perfectly clear, an internal (transvaginal) scan will give a much higher-resolution image. Both are safe and comfortable.
What a 9-week scan cannot tell you
It is still too early to determine the baby's sex at nine weeks. It is also too early for the nuchal translucency (NT) scan, which screens for Down's syndrome u2014 that must be performed between 11 weeks and 13 weeks 6 days.
From our practice
The nine-week scan is often the first time parents truly recognise a "baby shape" on the screen. I love pointing out the tiny arm and leg buds and watching parents react when they see the baby give a little wiggle. Because the heartbeat is so fast at this stage u2014 often around 170 bpm u2014 patients sometimes worry it is too fast, but I quickly reassure them that this rapid rhythm is exactly what a healthy nine-week heart should be doing. You can read more about what to expect from a normal fetal heart rate by week, or use our scan timing calculator to check when you will be nine weeks.
What does a baby look like at 9 weeks?
At nine weeks, the baby is about 23mm long (the size of a grape). The head is quite large, and the arm and leg buds are clearly visible. You may even see tiny movements on the scan.
Is a 9-week scan internal or abdominal?
It can often be done abdominally (over the tummy) if you have a full bladder. However, if the view is not clear, the sonographer will recommend a transvaginal (internal) scan for better detail.
Can you tell the gender at 9 weeks?
No. The genital structures are not fully developed and look identical in boys and girls at nine weeks. Gender scans are usually performed from 16 weeks onwards.
What is a normal heart rate at 9 weeks?
The fetal heart rate usually peaks around nine to ten weeks, often beating between 150 and 170 beats per minute. This rapid rate is completely normal and healthy.
Can twins be seen at 9 weeks?
Yes, absolutely. By nine weeks, a sonographer can easily see if there are two gestational sacs or two babies, confirming a twin or multiple pregnancy.
Is 9 weeks too early for Down's syndrome screening?
Yes. The nuchal translucency (NT) scan, which screens for Down's syndrome, must be performed between 11 weeks and 13 weeks 6 days, when the baby is the correct size for the measurement.
