Your Next Step
You would think a missed period and a positive pregnancy test would be all you would need to make a decision about your pregnancy, but it isn’t. There is more to know, especially if you are considering abortion.
We may recommend you for a free limited obstetrical ultrasound. An ultrasound can give you critical health information.
What Is Ultrasound?
An ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the inside of your uterus. Our ultrasound scans are performed by a registered nurse who first places a gel on your abdomen. A device called a transducer is rubbed over the gel. The transducer picks up the echoes of sound waves inside your stomach, which are transformed into images.
Why Do I Need An Ultrasound?
Ultrasound answers three fundamental questions. Getting the answers to these questions can help you make decisions about your pregnancy.
1. Is the Pregnancy Viable?
A viable pregnancy is growing with a detectable heartbeat. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) estimates as many as 26% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage. You may get a false-positive pregnancy test result during and immediately following a miscarriage. An incomplete miscarriage can also result in a false-positive test.
An ultrasound scan reveals the viability of the pregnancy.
2. How Far Along Is Your Pregnancy?
Don’t rely on your period-tracking app to give you exact dates. One study found that the “accuracy of prediction by menstrual cycle apps was no better than 21%.” Ultrasound is a more accurate way to determine the number of weeks you have been pregnant. Why is this important? If you are considering abortion, the number of weeks you have been pregnant determines the method used.
3. Where Is The Pregnancy Located?
Although rare, some pregnancies do not implant in the uterus. This type of pregnancy is ectopic and can be extremely dangerous, even life-threatening. A positive pregnancy test won’t tell you whether your pregnancy is ectopic or in the uterus – only an ultrasound can.
Talk with us about scheduling an onsite ultrasound. We use ultrasound only to confirm the presence of a viable uterine pregnancy. We do not use ultrasound to determine gender or diagnose abnormalities. Eligibility criteria apply.
