Having an abortion is a life-changing decision that can affect you physically and mentally. We care about your health and safety, which is why we recommend getting an ultrasound before choosing to have an abortion.

An ultrasound answers three critical questions:

• Is my pregnancy developing, or have I had an early miscarriage?
• How far along am I?
• Is the pregnancy located in the correct place?

What Is An Ultrasound?

An ultrasound is an imaging method. Instead of X-rays, ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to capture images inside your body. An ultrasound technician places a gel-like substance on your abdomen and rubs a wand (called a transducer) through the gel.

The transducer picks up the sound waves in your body and receives the echoes that bounce back, creating images on a screen.

3 Reasons to Have an Ultrasound

Is Your Pregnancy Developing?

A positive pregnancy test may not be enough information to know if your pregnancy is growing. Experts estimate that over one in four pregnancies ends in a natural miscarriage. The majority of miscarriages occur before 12 weeks.

Because it takes a woman’s body time to return to pre-pregnancy hormone levels, you could get a positive pregnancy test result but no longer be pregnant. You can continue to take pregnancy tests to see if the results change, or you could get an ultrasound.

How Far Along Are You In Your Pregnancy?

Do you know the exact date you become pregnant? If you are considering the abortion pill method, knowing how far along you are in your pregnancy is critical.

The FDA approves the use of abortion drugs through 10 weeks of pregnancy only. The farther along you are, the less effective the drugs become.

An ultrasound can accurately date your pregnancy to protect your health.

Where Is the Pregnancy Located?

Although rare, some pregnancies do not develop in the correct location. These are called ectopic pregnancies. An ectopic pregnancy implants and grows somewhere other than the uterus.

An ectopic pregnancy can be dangerous, even life-threatening. An ultrasound determines if the pregnancy is located correctly in the uterus.

How Can Hope Place Assist Me?

If you’re facing the possibility of an unplanned pregnancy, we want to be with you every step of the way. Pregnancy testing at HopePlace is always free and confidential.

We can refer you for a free and confidential ultrasound if your test is positive. Even if you are considering abortion, don’t skip this vital step.

We care about you and want you to be safe. Schedule an appointment and let us know how we can help you.

HopePlace does not perform or refer for abortion.

All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.