If you’re pregnant and considering your options, you’ll want an obstetric ultrasound. Even if you’re thinking about abortion, ultrasounds are essential to protect your health and determine the next steps.
We’ll walk you through the ins and outs of ultrasounds and why they’re necessary for pregnancy.
What Can a Provider See?
Ultrasounds are helpful diagnostic tools that allow providers to look closely at internal organs, monitor conditions like pregnancy, and identify medical complications or diseases.
During an obstetric ultrasound, the provider will use a wand-like device called a transducer over your abdomen. A gel-like substance has been applied to this area beforehand. The transducer emits sound waves that produce an image of your uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes on the screen.
Sometimes, a transvaginal ultrasound may be performed. This method is invasive as the transducer is inserted into your vagina. Whichever method is used, ultrasounds do not cause any adverse side effects.
Benefits of an Ultrasound
Ultrasound confirms key pregnancy details, including the following:
- Viability: Up to 26% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage, so it’s vital to determine whether your pregnancy is growing and has a heartbeat. A miscarriage may require medical treatment.
- Gestational age: Knowing how far along you are may determine your eligibility for an abortion or other pregnancy options.
- Location: Sometimes, an ectopic pregnancy occurs, which is when the fertilized egg implants in a location other than the uterus, such as a fallopian tube. This condition is dangerous and requires immediate treatment. Abortion treats neither an ectopic pregnancy nor a miscarriage.
Receiving an ultrasound helps you safeguard your health and alerts you to certain complications. If you have an abortion without an ultrasound, you could develop major health problems. For example, medical abortion is only FDA-approved through ten weeks gestation; taking the medications if you are further along is dangerous.
Free, Confidential Ultrasounds
As of October 31, Life Light Pregnancy Help Center will provide ultrasounds via a visiting mobile unit. Receive the answers you need without worrying about costs.
Contact us today to make an appointment. We’re here for you.
Life Light does not refer for or provide abortions, abortion services, or the abortion pill.