If you have been considering an abortion for an unplanned pregnancy, you may have wondered if an ultrasound is necessary.
Even though an ultrasound seems like an extra step, it’s essential for protecting your health and safety because it provides key health information.
Schedule a free, confidential appointment at The Center for Women to confirm your pregnancy details with testing and a limited obstetrical ultrasound. You deserve the full picture so you can make a confident choice for your health.
What an Ultrasound Tells You
A limited obstetrical ultrasound, performed by a member of our medical staff, answers these three questions:
Where is my pregnancy located?
Most pregnancies implant and grow inside the uterus, but about 2% of pregnancies implant somewhere else, usually in a fallopian tube. This non-viable pregnancy is known as an ectopic pregnancy.
An ectopic pregnancy can become life-threatening without treatment, as a fallopian tube cannot support a growing pregnancy. It can cause the fallopian tube to rupture and lead to dangerous internal bleeding.
Abortion drugs do not impact an ectopic pregnancy because the pregnancy is not in the uterus. This means a woman could take the abortion pill, experience vaginal bleeding, and believe her pregnancy is over, when, meanwhile, an ectopic pregnancy is growing undetected.
If an ultrasound detects an ectopic pregnancy, women can seek treatment to protect their lives and future fertility.
How far along are you?
An ultrasound can measure your gestational age (how far along you are in your pregnancy) and estimate your due date if you were to carry to term.
These details will reveal your option as the abortion pill is only FDA-approved for use within 10 weeks of pregnancy, and abortion is restricted in North Carolina after 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Is your pregnancy viable?
According to the Mayo Clinic, up to 20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage, and most happen during early pregnancy. Sometimes, a pregnancy test can still show a positive result even after a miscarriage due to lingering hormone levels.
An ultrasound will reveal whether your pregnancy is progressing by detecting a heartbeat or cardiac activity. If the pregnancy has ended, you would need to visit an OB-GYN for expectant management or a treatment plan if necessary.
Please note: The Center for Women offers limited ultrasound scans and cannot diagnose medical conditions, but we can provide referrals for further assessment.
Protect Your Health and Safety
No matter what option you’re considering, make a pregnancy decision based on accurate information. Your health depends on it.
Visit The Center for Women for professional pregnancy services and compassionate support. We’re here to help you during this time.
Call us at (828) 885-7885 or make an appointment to confirm your pregnancy and get the details you need to protect your health and safety.
*The Center for Women does not refer for or provide abortions.
**All abortion and legal information cited in this blog is accurate at the time of writing.