How Can an Ultrasound Protect Your Health and Safety?
A positive pregnancy test only tells you one fact: your body is producing a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Beyond this fact, there are many unknowns.
An ultrasound reveals essential details so you know exactly what is happening inside your body and your available options.
At Assure Women’s Center, we provide free and confidential ultrasounds performed by trained professionals who care about your health and safety.
Schedule your appointment today and keep reading below for more information.
What Do You Need to Know Before an Abortion?
Before an abortion, you absolutely need to know the following:
- Your pregnancy’s location (in the uterus and not an ectopic pregnancy)
- Whether your pregnancy is progressing (and you have not miscarried)
- How far along you are in your pregnancy (gestational age)
- Whether or not you have an existing STD/STI
- If you have specific health issues that make certain forms of abortion unsafe
A home pregnancy test only measures the presence of hormones. An ultrasound goes beyond that by confirming the first three facts in the list.
An ultrasound scan will measure your pregnancy’s size to determine the gestational age and estimate your due date. It will also verify whether the pregnancy is inside your uterus and if there is a detectable heartbeat to indicate you have not miscarried.
Why Do You Need to Know This Information?
An ultrasound can detect medical issues that might not show symptoms right away. For example, an ectopic pregnancy, when the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, can become life-threatening if not treated promptly. This condition may not be noticeable until it becomes a medical emergency.
If you have miscarried, an abortion wouldn’t make sense. Instead, you may need to seek treatment to prevent infection.
Also, having an abortion without knowing how far along you are could mean you are beyond the FDA’s approved 10-week timeframe for a medical abortion, leading to heightened risk.
Unrelated to ultrasound but available at Assure Women’s Center, you should also discuss your health history and test for STIs/STDs. This can reduce your preventable risks, such as losing too much blood when you already have anemia or an existing STI spreading into your uterus.
By identifying these complications early and understanding your health details, you can receive quick treatment or make decisions that protect your health and safety.
Visit Assure Women’s Center
We know how challenging it is to wait for answers after a positive pregnancy test and wonder what’s happening inside your body.
Visit Assure Women’s Center today for services that give you an inside look. We’ll provide essential details about your pregnancy and verify whether or not you have common STIs/STDs that require treatment.
Protect your health by scheduling your no-cost appointment today.
FAQs
1. Is ultrasound safe during early pregnancy?
Ultrasounds are considered safe during pregnancy because they do not use radiation. However, it’s still best to only have ultrasounds when necessary.
2. Can I bring someone with me to my appointment?
Yes. You are welcome to bring a friend, family member, or partner for support.
3. What happens after the ultrasound?
A nurse or sonographer will review the results with you and answer any questions you may have during your appointment.
