If you have recently found out you are pregnant, you may be wondering why an ultrasound is recommended and what information it can provide.
An ultrasound can give you important medical information that a pregnancy test alone cannot.
Pregnancy Help Center provides confidential transvaginal and abdominal ultrasounds, as well as pregnancy testing, to help you learn more about your pregnancy.
Schedule a free appointment at our center today and get the care you deserve.
How Ultrasound Technology Works
An ultrasound works by using high-frequency sound waves to create images of the inside of the body. Ultrasounds are non-invasive and don’t use radiation like X-rays; this is why they are most commonly used during pregnancy.
The scan is performed using a handheld transducer. The images are then displayed on a screen, and the details are explained to you by a healthcare professional.
The Different Types of Ultrasounds
There are two types of ultrasounds used during early pregnancy.
A transvaginal ultrasound can be used as early as 5 weeks of gestation. During this ultrasound, a small wand-like transducer is inserted into the vagina to create images of the uterus.
An abdominal ultrasound works by using a water-based gel and moving the transducer across the abdomen to produce images. This is more commonly used later in pregnancy.
What an Ultrasound Shows
An ultrasound provides you with important details about your pregnancy, including the location of the pregnancy, the gestational age (how far along the pregnancy is), and whether the pregnancy appears viable. All of these details can impact your options.
In around 2% of pregnancies, the egg implants outside of the uterus, most commonly in the fallopian tube; this is known as an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy is not a viable pregnancy and needs urgent medical attention.
Around 10 to 20% of pregnancies end in miscarriage. A pregnancy test can still be positive even if you have already had a miscarriage, since hCG can still remain in the body. An ultrasound can help determine whether a miscarriage has occurred.
Schedule an Ultrasound at Pregnancy Help Center
If you are experiencing early pregnancy symptoms and think you may be pregnant or want to confirm your pregnancy with an ultrasound, Pregnancy Help Center provides free ultrasounds, pregnancy testing, and options information.
We also provide prenatal and parenting education, as well as material support and community referrals.
We are here to help you get the answers you need about your pregnancy.
Contact us to make an appointment.
