No matter what pregnancy decision you’re considering, you need an obstetric ultrasound to protect your health and provide key information. A positive pregnancy test only confirms a potential pregnancy; an ultrasound will verify that your pregnancy is developing normally.
Ultrasounds are important diagnostic tools that allow us to view structures in the body and identify certain medical conditions. An obstetric ultrasound views your reproductive organs and a developing pregnancy.
A transvaginal is considered invasive as it uses a small transducer (a wand-like device) that is gently inserted into your vagina to produce the clearest image. An abdominal ultrasound, on the other hand, is noninvasive. Gel is applied to your abdomen, and a transducer is glided over this area.
Why Do I Need an ultrasound?
Even if you’re considering abortion, an ultrasound is essential. Not only does this scan protect your health by identifying certain conditions, but it also clarifies your pregnancy options.
An obstetric ultrasound tells you the following about your pregnancy:
- Viability: As many as 26% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage. A miscarriage occurs when your pregnancy ends naturally. An ultrasound can detect this condition, which may require medical treatment or monitoring. It will confirm there is a heartbeat and the pregnancy is developing normally.
- Gestational age: Knowing how far along you are is crucial. It determines your pregnancy options (the FDA has approved medical abortion through 10 weeks gestation) and can tell you when your pregnancy is conceived.
- Location: A pregnancy should be located in the uterus. Sometimes, women experience an ectopic pregnancy, which occurs when a fertilized egg implants in another location (such as in the cervix or a fallopian tube). An ultrasound can detect this condition, which is dangerous and requires medical treatment.
Free & Confidential Ultrasounds
Women’s Hope Medical Clinic offers ultrasounds after a positive pregnancy test at the clinic. Our registered diagnostic sonographer will perform the ultrasound and confirm that it is viable (growing normally and has a heartbeat) and developing in the uterus.
You deserve to know vital information about your pregnancy. We can help.