Why Does an Ultrasound Matter Before an Abortion?

If you’re facing an unexpected pregnancy and considering abortion, you may be wondering what steps you need to take before making your decision. Perhaps you’ve already received a positive home pregnancy test and are researching abortion procedures, costs, and what to expect.

But before moving forward, there are important questions about your pregnancy that a positive test alone can’t answer.

An ultrasound provides valuable medical information about your pregnancy, including how far along you are, where the pregnancy is located, and whether the pregnancy is developing. These details can help you better understand your health and the options available to you.

Read on to learn why an ultrasound is an important step before an abortion. Or contact Warrenton Pregnancy Center today to find a safe space to talk and find answers.

An Ultrasound Can Help Determine How Far Along You Are

One of the first things you need to know when considering abortion is your gestational age, or how far along you are in your pregnancy.

You may have tried calculating this based on the date of your last menstrual period. However, if your periods are irregular, you can’t remember the exact date, or you ovulated later than expected, your estimate may be inaccurate.

An ultrasound can provide a more accurate estimate of your gestational age by measuring the developing pregnancy.

Why does this matter?

The type of abortion procedure available to you depends partly on how far along you are. For example, the FDA has approved the abortion drug mifepristone, used with misoprostol, for pregnancies through 10 weeks (70 days) of gestation. Procedural abortion methods also vary depending on gestational age.

Knowing how far along you are can help you understand which procedures may be appropriate, what to expect, and the potential risks involved.

An Ultrasound Can Help Identify an Ectopic Pregnancy

Another important reason to consider an ultrasound is to determine whether your pregnancy is located inside the uterus.

In a typical pregnancy, a fertilized egg implants in the uterus. However, an ectopic pregnancy occurs when a pregnancy develops outside the uterus, most commonly in a fallopian tube.

An ectopic pregnancy cannot continue normally and can become life-threatening if left untreated.

Some women experience symptoms such as:

• Sharp or severe abdominal or pelvic pain, particularly on one side
• Vaginal bleeding or spotting
• Shoulder pain
• Dizziness, weakness, or fainting

However, symptoms may not appear right away.

An ultrasound can help confirm whether a pregnancy is located in the uterus or identify findings that raise concern for an ectopic pregnancy. 

This is especially important if you’re considering the abortion pill, because mifepristone and misoprostol do not treat an ectopic pregnancy.

An Ultrasound Can Help Assess Whether Your Pregnancy Is Developing

A positive pregnancy test detects the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which your body produces during pregnancy.

However, a positive test doesn’t necessarily mean your pregnancy is continuing to develop.

Sometimes, a pregnancy ends naturally through miscarriage, but hCG remains detectable in your body for a period of time afterward. This means you could still receive a positive pregnancy test even after a pregnancy loss.

An ultrasound can help assess pregnancy viability, including whether the pregnancy is developing as expected and whether cardiac activity is present when it should be detectable.

If an ultrasound suggests a miscarriage, a healthcare professional can help determine whether additional testing or medical care is necessary.

Understanding whether your pregnancy is continuing to develop can help you avoid unnecessary uncertainty and receive appropriate medical guidance.

Get the Answers You Need at Warrenton Pregnancy Center

If you’re considering abortion, you deserve accurate medical information and the opportunity to understand your pregnancy before making a decision.

At Warrenton Pregnancy Center, we offer free, confidential pregnancy testing and limited ultrasounds for qualifying clients. Our compassionate team is here to answer your questions, help you better understand your pregnancy, and provide information about your options in a supportive environment. 

Whether you’re considering abortion, adoption, or parenting, you don’t have to navigate your questions alone.

Contact Warrenton Pregnancy Center today to schedule your confidential appointment. We’re here for you.

Warrenton Pregnancy Center does not provide or refer for abortions.

All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.