While many women think an ultrasound is unnecessary if they are leaning towards pregnancy termination, this important scan can reveal important details that affect what procedures are available as options.
Learn Your Pregnancy’s Gestational Age
A medication abortion is only eligible through 10 weeks gestation. If you are farther along than this, you would likely need a surgical abortion. An ultrasound would confirm the age of your pregnancy so that you know which procedure you are eligible for.
Determine If Your Pregnancy is Still Viable
An ultrasound can confirm the pregnancy’s gestational age, location, and whether the fetus has a heartbeat or not. Since about 1 in 4 pregnancies ends in miscarriage, understanding the pregnancy’s viability is an important step before deciding what to do next.
Confirm the Pregnancy Location
Typically, normal pregnancy develops inside of the uterus. An ultrasound confirms whether the fetus has a heartbeat. If it is outside of the uterus, this is an ectopic pregnancy (most often located in a fallopian tube). This can be a life-threatening condition if it ruptures and requires immediate medical attention. An elective abortion cannot treat an ectopic pregnancy.
Schedule a No-Cost Ultrasound if You’re Considering Abortion
Abortion is a medical procedure, and taking recommended precautions and screenings is important; an ultrasound can provide key details about your pregnancy that may affect your decision.
At Lakeside Women’s Clinic, we offer no-cost pregnancy tests and ultrasounds in a safe, confidential space where you can ask questions, receive medically accurate information, and learn about local resources.
Every woman deserves clear information so she can feel confident making the decision that’s right for her. Our compassionate team is here to listen, support you, and help you understand all your available options. Contact us today!
