If you’re considering abortion, you may wonder whether an ultrasound is really necessary. While it can feel like an extra step, an ultrasound provides important information about your pregnancy that a positive test alone can’t.
A pregnancy test only detects the hormone hCG, confirming that you’re pregnant. It doesn’t show how far along you are, where the pregnancy is located, or whether it’s developing as expected.
An ultrasound helps answer those questions, giving you essential medical information so you can better understand your pregnancy and make an informed decision about your next steps.
Crisis Pregnancy Outreach is here to help you and can provide the answers you need to those 3 important questions.
How Far Along You Are
Most women date their pregnancy from their last period, but cycles vary, and that estimate is often off by a week or more.
That margin for error can make a big difference as the abortion pill is FDA-approved only through 10 weeks of pregnancy.
Past that window, ending a pregnancy requires a surgical procedure in which the cervix is dilated, and instruments and suction are used to empty the uterus.
That carries a different risk profile, including uterine perforation, cervical injury, infection, and scar tissue that can affect future fertility.
An ultrasound scan can determine the age of your pregnancy so that you know what options are available to you.
Where the Pregnancy Is Located
Sometimes a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube.
This condition is called an ectopic pregnancy, and it is a dangerous medical condition that must be treated right away. If an ectopic pregnancy goes undiagnosed, the tube can rupture and cause internal bleeding that becomes a surgical emergency.
Early symptoms like cramping or spotting are easy to mistake for normal pregnancy discomfort, so an ultrasound scan is the only reliable way to ensure you do not have an ectopic pregnancy.
Whether the Pregnancy Is Progressing
Not every positive test leads to an ongoing pregnancy.
As many as 26% of early pregnancies end in miscarriage, and it can happen before you notice anything unusual.
An ultrasound checks for cardiac activity and confirms whether the pregnancy is developing. If a miscarriage has already occurred, an abortion is not necessary, though you may still need follow-up care to make sure the process is complete.
Start With the Facts at CPO
Crisis Pregnancy Outreach in Tulsa exists to help you at exactly this moment, providing you vital information before a decision is made.
We offer no-cost pregnancy testing on-site, and through our partnership with GoLife Mobile Clinic, we can schedule you for a free ultrasound scan.
Our trained and caring staff will answer your questions, walk through each of your options, and give you room to think.
Contact us today to schedule your free, confidential appointment.
