If you’ve recently had a positive pregnancy test or think you might be pregnant, the next step to protect your health is an ultrasound scan.
An ultrasound gives you an inside look at your uterus to provide you with key details that can protect your reproductive health, reveal your pregnancy options, and even give you life-saving information.
If you’re looking for an affordable ultrasound in a supportive environment, schedule an appointment with Pregnancy Help Center of Galveston to receive accurate information and compassionate care. Our ultrasounds are offered free of charge to women who receive a positive pregnancy test result at our center.
What Is an Ultrasound?
An ultrasound is a medical imaging scan that uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the inside of your body. Unlike X-rays or CT scans, ultrasound does not use radiation, making it okay to use during pregnancy.
During the scan, a trained nurse or sonographer uses a handheld device called a transducer. This device sends sound waves into the body and receives the echoes that bounce back off internal tissues and structures. A computer then converts those echoes into real-time images that appear on a screen.
Abdominal vs. Transvaginal Ultrasound: What’s the Difference?
There are two main types of ultrasounds used in early pregnancy: abdominal and transvaginal.
An abdominal ultrasound is the type most people are familiar with. A sonographer or nurse applies gel to the abdomen and then moves the transducer across it to get a real-time image of your pregnancy. This type of ultrasound is typically used later in early pregnancy, once the pregnancy is far enough along to be seen clearly.
A transvaginal ultrasound is typically used earlier in pregnancy for better images. During this scan, a wand-like transducer is inserted into the vagina. While it’s generally not as comfortable, it is brief and allows medical staff to gather important information that may not yet be visible through an abdominal scan.
What Can an Ultrasound Tell You?
An ultrasound helps confirm whether the pregnancy is located inside the uterus, estimates how far along you are (gestational age), and looks for signs that the pregnancy is progressing. It can also help identify conditions such as miscarriage (the pregnancy ended) or ectopic pregnancy (the pregnancy is outside the uterus), which will require medical follow-up.
If the ultrasound does not show a pregnancy despite a positive pregnancy test, this is called Pregnancy of Unknown Location (PUL). This condition happens due to it being too early in the pregnancy to see during an ultrasound scan, the pregnancy ending in miscarriage and expelling already, or in some cases, an ectopic pregnancy.
An ectopic pregnancy is a medical emergency and requires quick treatment to prevent complications like life-threatening bleeding.
If you’re considering an abortion, you must know all these details to ensure you’re making safe decisions, especially since the abortion pill is only FDA-approved through ten weeks of gestation.
Get the Information You Need
Pregnancy Help Center of Galveston is here to provide information, answer questions, and support you without pressure.
Schedule your confidential appointment today to learn more about your pregnancy and take your next step with confidence.