You probably assume a positive pregnancy test is all you need to know about your pregnancy. There’s more, and the best way to get it is with an ultrasound.
What Is An Ultrasound?
Ultrasound uses echoes from 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.
You see an image on a computer screen from the echoes of the sound waves that bounce back. Depending on how far along you are, the technician will point out what you’re seeing and listen for a heartbeat.
Why Do I Need An Ultrasound?
The ultrasound answers the following questions:
- Is the pregnancy located where it should be? (not an ectopic pregnancy)
- Approximately how far along am I? (the gestational age)
- Is there a viable heartbeat? (you haven’t miscarried)
Is The Pregnancy Located Where It Should Be?
Although rare, an ectopic pregnancy is dangerous. The word “ectopic” means “in the wrong place.”
Sometimes a pregnancy doesn’t implant on the uterine wall. It may stay in the fallopian tubes leading to the uterus. If it continues to grow in that location, you could have a life-threatening medical complication.
An ultrasound is the only way to locate your pregnancy correctly.
Approximately How Far Along Am I?
Some women try to keep current and accurate records of their monthly cycles. Others tend to generalize. Tracking when your period begins and ends is essential if you want to get pregnant or you don’t.
If you are considering abortion, knowing how far along you are in your pregnancy is especially important. The FDA approves using the abortion pill method to end a pregnancy through 70 days gestation.
The pregnancy is 70 days or less since the first day of your last menstrual cycle. If you are farther than 70 days (10 weeks), you should consider an in-clinic surgical abortion.
By revealing the size of the pregnancy, the ultrasound can tell how far along you are.
Is There A Viable Heartbeat?
According to the Mayo Clinic, up to 20% of known pregnancies end in a natural miscarriage. Experts say the number may be higher because most miscarriages occur before a woman even knows she’s pregnant.
An ultrasound can pick up a heartbeat around the 5th or 6th week of pregnancy. If the ultrasound detects a heartbeat, indicates pregnancy location, dates your pregnancy, you have the information needed to move forward.
No-Cost Pregnancy Testing And Ultrasound
At AscentCare Pregnancy Services, we believe you shouldn’t have to pay to get the information you need about your pregnancy. We offer pregnancy testing and ultrasound at no cost to you.
Contact us to set up an appointment for pregnancy testing. Then, we will schedule you for a no-cost ultrasound if your test is positive.
Don’t guess. Get the information you need to make a confident decision about your pregnancy. We’re here to help you.