If you’re facing an unexpected pregnancy and considering abortion, you may be wondering if you need an ultrasound or not. While you might want to skip this step, it’s in your best interest to make sure you get an ultrasound to protect your health and safety.
At Vie Medical Clinic, we offer free ultrasounds to confirm your pregnancy and help you understand your options. Schedule your free appointment today.
Here are three reasons why you need an ultrasound before an abortion.
1. To Confirm How Far Along You Are (Gestational Age)
Knowing how far along you are—also called gestational age—is a key factor when considering abortion. Different abortion procedures are only available during specific stages of pregnancy.
For example, the abortion pill is only FDA-approved through 10 weeks of pregnancy. An ultrasound is the most accurate way to measure gestational age and ensure you understand which options are medically available to you.
2. To Determine Pregnancy Viability
A pregnancy test detects the presence of hCG, a hormone found in your urine during pregnancy, but it doesn’t tell you whether your pregnancy is developing normally.
An ultrasound looks for a heartbeat and confirms that the pregnancy is progressing within the uterus. If there’s no heartbeat, it’s either too early to detect one or it’s a sign of miscarriage.
You would want to pursue medical care to see if you need any treatment after a miscarriage. An abortion wouldn’t make sense because the pregnancy has already ended.
3. To Rule Out an Ectopic Pregnancy
In about 2% of pregnancies, the embryo implants outside the uterus, most often in a fallopian tube. This is known as an ectopic pregnancy and can be life-threatening if not treated quickly.
Abortion does not treat ectopic pregnancy. An ultrasound is the only way to confirm your pregnancy’s location and ensure your safety.
Find Out What’s Happening in Your Body
Before choosing abortion, it’s important to have all the facts. An ultrasound helps protect your health, confirms what type of care you may need, and reveals your options.
Schedule your free appointment at Vie Medical Clinic today. We’re here to help you.
