After a positive pregnancy test, your next best step is verifying your pregnancy with an ultrasound scan. At North Care, we can help you confirm your pregnancy and the vital details you need to know when considering abortion.
Schedule a free appointment at North Care Women’s Clinic today, and keep reading to learn the reasons why you need an ultrasound before an abortion.
Learn Your Pregnancy’s Gestational Age
An ultrasound will tell you how far along you are in your pregnancy—known as your “gestational age”—and your estimated due date.
When considering an abortion, you’ll want to know this information to protect your health and safety. The FDA has only approved medical abortion through the first 70 days of pregnancy. After you are beyond ten weeks, another type of abortion could be a safer option for you.
Check If Your Pregnancy Is Progressing
You may receive a positive pregnancy test even if you are miscarrying, which is a sudden pregnancy loss before the 20th week. An ultrasound will screen for a heartbeat to see whether or not your pregnancy is progressing.
If the ultrasound cannot find a heartbeat, it’s either too early to detect, or you have miscarried. It may also be indicative of an ectopic pregnancy (See more on that below).
An abortion would not be the appropriate treatment method for a miscarriage because the pregnancy has already ended naturally. Instead, you would visit a medical provider to see if any treatment is necessary to protect your health.
Identify the Location of Your Pregnancy
In a normal pregnancy, an embryo attaches inside the lining of the uterus, where it can safely grow. However, in about 2% of cases, the embryo attaches outside the uterus, typically in a fallopian tube. This condition is called an ectopic pregnancy.
Structures other than the uterus cannot support a growing pregnancy, making ectopic pregnancy dangerous. If a fallopian tube bursts, it can lead to life-threatening bleeding. However, early screening can make sure women receive prompt treatment and prevent complications.
Even if you are considering an abortion, an ultrasound can help ensure that you do not have an undetected ectopic pregnancy.
Take Steps to Safeguard Your Health
Talk to us today to begin getting clarity with free pregnancy testing. We’re here to help and support you with professional pregnancy services and options education.
Schedule a free appointment today and safeguard your health.
Information about Mifepristone for Medical Termination of Pregnancy Through Ten Weeks Gestation.” FDA, 2023, https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/information-about-mifepristone-medical-termination-pregnancy-through-ten-weeks-gestation.
“Miscarriage.” Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pregnancy-loss-miscarriage/symptoms-causes/syc-20354298.
“Ectopic Pregnancy.” Cleveland Clinic, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9687-ectopic-pregnancy.
“Ectopic Pregnancy.” Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/symptoms-causes/syc-20372088.
