Ultrasound is a vital part of confirming your pregnancy. Before you consider an abortion, an ultrasound exam gives you a better idea of when you got pregnant, if the pregnancy is viable (developing), or if you’ve had a miscarriage, and the location of the pregnancy.
AscentCare offers ultrasounds at no cost to you so you can learn essential pregnancy details and make an informed choice for your future.
What Is An Ultrasound?
Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce a picture of the inside of your uterus. Our technician first applies a gel-like substance to your abdomen and rubs a wand-like instrument called a transducer through the gel.
The transducer picks up the echoes of the sound waves and forms an image on a monitor. The technician will point out what you’re seeing and listen for a viable heartbeat to ensure you have not miscarried.
Why Do I Need An Ultrasound?
It would seem a positive pregnancy test result should be enough information to make a decision about your unplanned pregnancy. But there is much more to know.
A pregnancy test only detects the presence of hCG, a hormone produced during pregnancy, to determine whether or not you are pregnant.
It cannot tell you these three critical details.
1. How Far Along You Are In Your Pregnancy
An ultrasound exam confirms the number of weeks you’ve been pregnant. Knowing the date your pregnancy began is essential if you are considering abortion. How far along you are in your pregnancy determines the type of abortion procedure you would have.
The abortion pill is approved for pregnancies up to 70 days (10 weeks), according to the FDA. You may have to have a surgical procedure if your pregnancy is over 70 days.
While many women use period tracking and pregnancy apps, they are not an accurate measure of your pregnancy’s gestational age. You may be surprised to find out you are earlier or later in your pregnancy than you realized.
2. If Your Pregnancy Is Viable (Developing)
A viable pregnancy in the first trimester means it’s developing and continuing to grow. According to the Mayo Clinic, up to 20% of known pregnancies end in a natural miscarriage.
Ultrasound lets you know if your pregnancy is viable or if you’ve had a miscarriage.
There’s no reason to schedule an abortion if you have already miscarried.
However, you should follow up with a health professional to ensure you do not require any treatment to prevent infection.
3. The Location Of Your Pregnancy
Although rare, some pregnancies do not form in the uterus. These are ectopic pregnancies, which require you to visit a healthcare professional immediately.
Ectopic pregnancies occur when a fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus, typically in a fallopian tube (known as a tubal pregnancy). This occurs in about 2% of pregnancies.
In a tubal pregnancy, the embryo will grow inside the fallopian tube, which is incapable of stretching to accommodate growth as a uterus does.
Eventually, if left untreated, the fallopian tube will rupture, causing an emergency situation and life-threatening bleeding.
An ultrasound exam locates your pregnancy to give you peace of mind and direct you to any necessary treatment. Early detection is key to protecting your health.
No-Cost Ultrasounds
We never want financial concerns to be why you can’t get the information you need. Our goal is that you would leave your visit confident in your knowledge and empowered in your decision-making. Schedule your appointment today.