Coming to a decision about how to handle your unexpected pregnancy is not an easy road. We hope you can rest in the knowledge that you are not alone – there is help and hope available to you.
One of the best things you can do as a first step is to get an ultrasound. The pregnancy options available to you may depend on the answers to certain questions that a medical professional can answer for you through ultrasound technology.
Especially if you are considering abortion, you will want to be sure that you are receiving the type of procedure that is safest for you given the facts about your pregnancy. Prioritize your health and safety by learning the following about your unique situation:
3 Reasons to Receive An Ultrasound:
1. Determine The Pregnancy Location (And Check for Ectopic Pregnancy)
One of the first things your sonographer will look for is where your pregnancy is located – safely in the uterus or elsewhere. You may be surprised to hear that roughly 1 in 50 pregnancies is ectopic – meaning, the pregnancy is growing outside of the uterus, typically in a fallopian tube.
If a nurse determines you may have an ectopic pregnancy, you will need immediate medical attention. Any abortion procedure or pill will not resolve an ectopic pregnancy as it requires specific medication and/or a procedure.
It is essential to treat an ectopic pregnancy right away. Any delay in treatment may result in life-threatening complications. An ultrasound can help you know if this complication is a concern for you, or if your pregnancy is located in the uterus and you may be eligible for other pregnancy options.
2. Detect If You’re At Risk of Miscarriage (or Have Already Had One)
The second thing an ultrasound verifies is if the pregnancy is viable (if the pregnancy is progressing and growing). Your sonographer can answer this question, or determine if you may be at risk of miscarriage.
Most miscarriages occur in the first twelve weeks of pregnancy. Signs that you may be at risk of miscarriage include:
- Vaginal spotting/bleeding
- Pain/cramping in your abdomen or lower back
- Fluid or tissue passing from your vagina
If your sonographer determines you may be experiencing or at risk for a miscarriage, you will be referred to a doctor to find out what medical plan is best for you to proceed. In some cases, the miscarriage may progress on its own and you will not need further medical intervention. In other cases, further procedures or medications to prevent infection may be necessary.
3. Determine How Far Along You Are
Finally, a very important question that an ultrasound exam can answer is how far along in your pregnancy you are. Through certain measurements that are more accurate than judging based on your last period, your sonographer can tell you the gestational age of your pregnancy.
This fact can help you know what pregnancy options are available to you. The FDA only recommends and approves the use of medication abortion (otherwise known as the abortion pill) for pregnancies up to 10 weeks. If your pregnancy has progressed past this point, it could be dangerous for you to take the abortion pill as you may be at risk for incomplete abortion or other complications.
Finding out how far along you are can also help you plan for other factors involved in your pregnancy decision, including costs of certain procedures, what providers you may need to see, or what resources you may want to seek out.
Verify Your Pregnancy And Get Your Questions Answered
Before you make your final decision, get all the information you need to make an informed choice. Verifying your pregnancy and receiving an ultrasound with a medical professional is an important next step.
At First Care Clinic, our medical staff would be happy to answer your questions and get you the facts on your pregnancy at no cost to you. Schedule your free appointment today to prioritize your health and safety.