When you’ve already decided abortion is the direction you’re heading, getting an ultrasound might feel like an unnecessary extra step. It isn’t. The information an ultrasound provides directly affects your safety during the procedure, which options are available to you, and whether abortion is the right medical response to your specific situation.
Schedule a free, confidential appointment at 1st Way Pregnancy Support Center in Cumberland to learn whether you qualify for a free ultrasound.
Reason 1: To Find Out Exactly How Far Along You Are
Gestational age determines which abortion procedures are medically appropriate. The abortion pill, for example, is only FDA-approved through 10 weeks of pregnancy. Dates calculated from a last menstrual period can be off, particularly with irregular cycles or uncertainty about ovulation timing. An ultrasound measures the pregnancy directly and gives you a more reliable gestational age than a date estimate.
Reason 2: To Confirm the Pregnancy Is in the Right Location
Most pregnancies develop inside the uterus. When a fertilized egg implants somewhere else, most often in a fallopian tube, it is called an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy cannot be treated with an abortion procedure. It requires separate and immediate medical attention, and it can become life-threatening without it. Because early symptoms can resemble a typical pregnancy, the only reliable way to rule this out before any procedure is an ultrasound.
Reason 3: To Confirm the Pregnancy Is Still Developing
A positive pregnancy test detects the hormone hCG, which can remain in the body for days or weeks after a miscarriage. The Mayo Clinic estimates that 10 to 20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage, most often in the first trimester. If the pregnancy has already ended on its own, abortion is not the correct medical procedure. An ultrasound can determine whether the pregnancy is progressing by detecting a heartbeat, helping confirm viability before any next steps are taken.
Get the Answers You Need First
If you’re considering abortion, contact 1st Way Pregnancy Support Center to learn whether you qualify for a free ultrasound performed by our registered sonographers. Our free, confidential pre-abortion screening can help you gather the medical information you need before making a decision.
Call or text 301-777-1261 or make your appointment online today.
1st Way Pregnancy Support 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.
