If you are considering an abortion, you may be wondering why an ultrasound matters, especially if it’s not legally required. However, it’s crucial for protecting your health and catching certain early complications (like an ectopic pregnancy) that are easy to miss.
Before making any pregnancy decisions, get an ultrasound for a clear picture. This simple scan can provide key medical information you would not otherwise know.
Schedule an appointment at Pregnancy Help Center of Galveston to see if you qualify for an ultrasound and get the details you need. Also, find out why ultrasounds are so necessary below.
1. Confirm the Location of Your Pregnancy
One of the most important reasons to get an ultrasound is to confirm the location of the pregnancy. It’s impossible to know without an ultrasound because your body will produce the hormone hCG that pregnancy tests detect, regardless of where the embryo implants.
While most pregnancies develop inside the uterus, 1 in 50 implant somewhere else in the body (known as ectopic pregnancy), most typically in a fallopian tube. Without treatment, the ectopic pregnancy will grow unchecked and can cause life-threatening internal bleeding.
A pregnancy test alone cannot detect this condition; an ultrasound is the only way to determine this.
2. Find Out How Far Along You Are (Gestational Age)
An ultrasound can measure how far along you are in your pregnancy, also known as gestational age. It will also estimate your due date based on the measurements.
This information is important because different pregnancy options are based on gestational age. For example, certain abortion methods like the abortion pill are typically used within specific timeframes.
Knowing how far along you are can help you better understand your timeline and consider your next steps. Some women are surprised to learn they are much further along than they realized.
3. Check if Your Pregnancy Is Progressing
An ultrasound can also determine whether the pregnancy is progressing and has not miscarried.
During the scan, medical professionals look for a heartbeat to determine if the pregnancy is continuing. About 10-20% of pregnancies end in miscarriage before the 20th week, and it is possible to have a positive pregnancy test result even if the pregnancy is no longer developing.
An ultrasound helps confirm whether the pregnancy is viable and provides a clear picture of what is happening.
Visit Pregnancy Help Center of Galveston
Get the details you need to safeguard your health and understand all your options with an ultrasound scan at Pregnancy Help Center of Galveston.
Take the next step and schedule an appointment today to receive pregnancy testing, ultrasound services, and the information you need to move forward. All of our services are free and confidential because we care about you.
Pregnancy Help Center of Galveston does not refer for or provide abortions.