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If you’re considering abortion, you may feel pressure to make a decision quickly. Perhaps you’ve already taken a home pregnancy test, searched online for information, or started looking into abortion options. In the middle of all of this, it can be easy to assume that a positive pregnancy test tells you everything you need to know.
But that’s not actually the case.
Before making any pregnancy decision, including abortion, an ultrasound is an important step in protecting your health. A pregnancy test can verify that pregnancy hormones are present, but it can’t tell you critical details about your pregnancy that may affect your medical care and your options moving forward.
At Vida Medical Clinic, we believe every woman deserves accurate information before making a decision about her pregnancy. That’s why we offer confidential and professional medical services, providing compassionate care at no cost to you, so you can get the answers you need in a safe and supportive environment.
Here are three reasons why an ultrasound matters before an abortion.
1. An Ultrasound Can Verify Where Your Pregnancy Is Located
One of the most important things an ultrasound can determine is where the pregnancy is developing.
While most pregnancies develop inside the uterus, some occur outside of it, most commonly in a fallopian tube. This is called an ectopic pregnancy, and it is a serious medical condition that requires prompt treatment.
An ectopic pregnancy cannot continue normally and may become life-threatening if left untreated. Because symptoms aren’t always obvious at first, many women don’t realize they have one until complications arise.
This is why location matters.
A home pregnancy test cannot tell you whether your pregnancy is located in the uterus. An abortion procedure or abortion pills will not treat an ectopic pregnancy. An ultrasound is the only way to verify where the pregnancy is located and help ensure that you’re receiving the appropriate medical care.
2. An Ultrasound Can Tell You How Far Along You Are
If you’re considering the abortion pill, knowing how far along your pregnancy is is an essential piece of information.
Many women estimate their due date based on the first day of their last menstrual period, but cycles can vary, and ovulation doesn’t always happen on the same timeline each month. As a result, it’s possible to be further along or less far along than you think.
An ultrasound provides a more accurate estimate of gestational age.
This is particularly important because the abortion pill regimen is approved by the FDA through 10 weeks of gestation. And if you take the abortion drugs and you’re further along, you’re putting yourself at risk for potentially life-threatening complications.
3. An Ultrasound Can Determine Whether the Pregnancy Is Viable
Another important reason to get an ultrasound is to determine whether the pregnancy is viable.
A viable pregnancy is progressing as expected. During an ultrasound, medical professionals can assess whether there are signs of ongoing development, such as a heartbeat at the appropriate stage of pregnancy.
Unfortunately, not every pregnancy develops normally. In some cases, a woman may receive a positive pregnancy test only to later discover that she is experiencing a miscarriage.
If the pregnancy is no longer developing, your medical needs will be very different than those of someone with an ongoing pregnancy. An ultrasound can help provide clarity and ensure that you receive appropriate care.
Confidential & Professional Medical Services at No Cost to You
You deserve accurate information, compassionate care, and a place where you can ask questions without pressure.
At Vida Medical Clinic, we offer confidential and professional medical services at no cost to you. Our team is here to provide lab-quality pregnancy testing, limited obstetric ultrasounds, and information about your pregnancy options so that you can make an informed decision about your next steps.
If you’re considering abortion, start by getting the medical information you need to protect your health.
Contact Vida Medical Clinic today to request your confidential appointment and receive the support and answers you deserve. You’re not alone in this. We’re here for you.