When you are considering terminating your pregnancy, an ultrasound is a great way to help you learn more about your pregnancy and to understand your available options.
At PRC Medical, we offer no-cost ultrasounds and the chance to learn more about your pregnancy in a safe, nonjudgmental environment.
Confirm Your Pregnancy’s Gestational Age
An ultrasound is used to confirm the gestational age of your pregnancy. Even women who have very regular menstrual cycles can be surprised to learn their pregnancy is further along than they expected. The abortion pill is FDA-approved through ten weeks gestational age, so knowing the gestational age informs you whether or not you are eligible for this procedure.
Determine Your Pregnancy’s Viability
Pregnancy tests are designed to detect the pregnancy hormone hCG in a woman’s urine. However, a positive pregnancy test may or may not indicate an actual pregnancy. False positives are known to occur under certain conditions, including the presence of a kidney or pituitary disorder, because of taking certain medications, or even weeks after a recent miscarriage or abortion. This information explains why an ultrasound examination is recommended to confirm a positive pregnancy test.
Because up to 26% of pregnancies end in natural miscarriage, you’ll want to determine the pregnancy’s viability. If you have miscarried, you will not be eligible for an elective abortion.
Learn Your Pregnancy’s Location
Typically, the developing embryo implants in a woman’s uterine lining soon after fertilization. However, sometimes the embryo may attach outside of the uterus; this is considered an ectopic pregnancy (which means “out of”).
The most common location of an ectopic pregnancy is inside the fallopian tube. These are non-viable pregnancies that can cause tubal rupture, which is a life-threatening condition for the mother. Confirmation is an opportunity to Identify an ectopic pregnancy early, allowing you to obtain emergency medical attention. Please know that elective abortion is not an effective or accepted treatment for an ectopic pregnancy.
Next Steps
Even if you’re confident in your decision to seek an abortion, scheduling an ultrasound is a good idea so you understand all the details of your pregnancy.
At PRC Medical, we provide no-cost clinical pregnancy testing. If you receive positive pregnancy testing results with us, we offer no-cost ultrasounds to help you feel empowered about your pregnancy knowledge. Contact us today!