Why Does an Ultrasound Matter Before an Abortion?
If you have a positive pregnancy test and are considering abortion, an ultrasound may not seem necessary.
However, a pregnancy test cannot tell you everything about your pregnancy, and the details it leaves out can directly affect your health.
An ultrasound uses sound waves to create an image of the uterus and the pregnancy developing inside it. The scan is quick and safe, with no known harmful side effects.
At Women’s Care Medical Center, a limited obstetric ultrasound is part of our free, confidential pre-abortion screening.
What an Ultrasound Confirms
Gestational Age
Dating a pregnancy from your last menstrual period is common, but irregular cycles, early spotting, or uncertain dates can make that estimate inaccurate.
An ultrasound measures the pregnancy directly, giving you a more accurate picture of how far along you are.
The FDA does not approve the abortion pill for pregnancies further along than 10 weeks.
Viability
A positive test does not confirm that a pregnancy is continuing to develop. Mayo Clinic reports that roughly 10 to 20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage, most within the first trimester.
An ultrasound checks for cardiac activity and signs of normal development. If the pregnancy is no longer progressing, an abortion would not be needed, and a medical provider can explain what care may be required to make sure your body completes the miscarriage safely.
Location
A healthy pregnancy implants inside the uterus. An ectopic pregnancy cannot continue normally. As the pregnancy grows, the fallopian tube can rupture and cause severe internal bleeding.
The abortion pill cannot end an ectopic pregnancy. Additionally, the expected effects of the abortion pill, such as cramping and bleeding, may be similar to the symptoms of a ruptured ectopic pregnancy, which can delay emergency treatment.
Schedule Your Pre-Abortion Screening
Women’s Care Medical Center is here to help.
Our free and confidential pre-abortion screening includes pregnancy testing to verify your home test result, a limited obstetric ultrasound with results typically available the same day, and a conversation with a consultant about your options, including abortion procedures, side effects, and risks.
We also offer free STD testing for qualifying patients, since an untreated infection can raise the risk of complications following an abortion procedure.
Our consultants will not pressure you toward a particular decision. Our goal is to ensure you have accurate information about your pregnancy and health.
Schedule your appointment today.
Women’s Care Medical Center does not provide or refer for abortions.
Pregnancy Testing
Even if you’ve taken a home pregnancy test, you should verify the results. We provide confidential, no-cost pregnancy testing to help you receive the answers you need.
Ultrasounds
A positive pregnancy test isn’t enough information to make an informed decision. An ultrasound scan can determine how far along you are, the pregnancy’s location, and if it’s viable.
STD Testing
Before making a decision about your unplanned pregnancy, it’s important to know if you have an STD. Take control of your health, get tested today, and receive the peace of mind you deserve!
Pregnancy Testing
Even if you’ve taken a home pregnancy test, you should verify the results. We provide confidential, no-cost pregnancy testing to help you receive the answers you need.
Ultrasounds
A positive pregnancy test isn’t enough information to make an informed decision. An ultrasound scan can determine how far along you are, the pregnancy’s location, and if it’s viable.
STD Testing
Before making a decision about your unplanned pregnancy, it’s important to know if you have an STD. Take control of your health, get tested today, and receive the peace of mind you deserve!
