A positive pregnancy test can leave you with more questions than answers. You may be trying to figure out how far along you are, what your pregnancy means for your future, and what options you have.
Before deciding whether to have an abortion, it is worth understanding a few important details about your pregnancy. An ultrasound can provide information that a home pregnancy test cannot, helping you better understand your circumstances and identify potential next steps.
At Pregnancy Help Center, we offer free, confidential, limited ultrasounds and other pregnancy services to help you get more information.
Here are three reasons an ultrasound is an important step before deciding what comes next.
#1: Find Out Where Your Pregnancy Is Located
A pregnancy test detects human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone produced during pregnancy. However, it cannot tell you where the pregnancy is located.
Most pregnancies develop inside the uterus, but sometimes a fertilized egg implants elsewhere, most often in a fallopian tube. This is called an ectopic pregnancy.
An ectopic pregnancy requires medical evaluation because it cannot develop normally and may cause life-threatening internal bleeding if it ruptures.
Although our center cannot diagnose an ectopic pregnancy, a limited ultrasound may reveal findings that indicate the need for further medical evaluation.
#2: Learn Whether the Pregnancy Is Still Developing
Following an early miscarriage, hCG can remain detectable for a while, so a pregnancy test may still be positive even after the pregnancy has ended. Around 10-20% of known pregnancies can end in miscarriage, according to Mayo Clinic.
An ultrasound can help assess whether a pregnancy is developing and whether signs such as cardiac activity are visible. What you can see depends on how far along the pregnancy is, so an early scan may not provide a definite answer. In some cases, a follow-up ultrasound or blood tests may be needed.
If a miscarriage has occurred, your healthcare provider can explain whether you need further evaluation or treatment.
#3: Get a Better Estimate of How Far Along You Are
How far along you are in pregnancy can affect your available options and the medical considerations involved.
You can estimate gestational age by counting from the first day of your last menstrual period. However, this calculation may be less reliable if your periods are irregular, you are unsure of your dates, or your cycle differs from the typical pattern.
An ultrasound can help estimate your gestational age by measuring the pregnancy’s development. This information is particularly relevant if you are considering the abortion pill. The abortion pill is an FDA-approved regimen intended for ending an intrauterine pregnancy through 10 weeks of gestation.
Get More Information at Pregnancy Help Center
You may be scared, overwhelmed, or worried about how a baby could change your future. If abortion feels like the only way forward, take a moment to make sure you have all the information you need before making a decision.
You deserve to understand what is happening with your pregnancy, and have the opportunity to talk through your questions and learn about your options without feeling rushed.
We offer everything from free pregnancy services to material support and parenting and prenatal education if you decide to continue your pregnancy. You are not alone.
Contact us to make your appointment today and get the answers you need.
Pregnancy Help Center does not provide or refer for abortions.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.
