3 Reasons You Need an Ultrasound before Abortion | The Hope Clinic

If you’re unexpectedly pregnant, you may have already taken a pregnancy test and received a positive result, but did you know a pregnancy test alone doesn’t provide enough information?

If you are considering an abortion, understanding important medical details such as where your pregnancy is located, how far along you are, and the viability is important.

The Hope Clinic provides free, limited ultrasounds to verify these details, as well as pregnancy testing and accurate information about your options.

Schedule an appointment to speak with our team today.

1. To Confirm How Far Along You Are

A limited ultrasound can determine the gestational age of your pregnancy. This is important since the FDA approves the abortion pill through ten weeks of gestation.

Trying to estimate how far along you are based on your last period can be inaccurate, especially if you have irregular cycles.

2. To See If The Pregnancy Is Viable

A pregnancy test alone can detect the pregnancy hormone known as human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), but it does not give you the full picture about how your pregnancy is developing.

An ultrasound will be able to detect a fetal heartbeat and confirm if you have miscarried. It is estimated that around 10 to 20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage.

You may get a positive pregnancy test even after a miscarriage because hCG can remain in your body. If you have miscarried, a different medical follow-up would be needed.

3. The Pregnancy Location Is Important

An ultrasound confirms the location of your pregnancy. Around 2% of pregnancies implant outside the uterus, most commonly in the fallopian tube, which is also known as an ectopic pregnancy.

Urgent medical attention is needed if you have an ectopic pregnancy due to the risk of life-threatening internal bleeding if the fallopian tube bursts. An ectopic pregnancy cannot be treated with the abortion pill.

Ectopic pregnancy symptoms in the early stages feel the same as early pregnancy symptoms; this is why an ultrasound is crucial to determine how the pregnancy is developing.

Get Answers at The Hope Clinic

It’s normal to feel overwhelmed right now if you weren’t expecting to see a positive result on your pregnancy test.

Slowing down, verifying your pregnancy with an ultrasound, and learning about your options are the next steps to take so you can make a confident and fully informed decision. The Hope Clinic is here to provide you with confidential and free pregnancy services.