It might seem counter-intuitive to schedule an ultrasound before an abortion. However, there are several reasons why this is advised. Here are five reasons we recommend scheduling an ultrasound before taking the abortion pill (also known as a medical abortion).
1. CONFIRMS IF YOU ARE, IN FACT, PREGNANT
A home pregnancy test is accurate but not perfect. It is possible to have false positive or false negative results. An ultrasound will confirm the pregnancy which is then sent to a physician for diagnosis and review.
2. DETERMINES GESTATIONAL AGE
During an ultrasound a technician will measure the growth of the embryo to determine how many weeks pregnant you are. In most states, the abortion pill is legal to use only until 10 or 11 weeks after the first day of your last period.
3. VERIFIES A VIABLE PREGNANCY
A viable pregnancy is one that will be able to grow and result in a live birth. An ultrasound will confirm a viable, uterine pregnancy by detecting a heartbeat and ensuring that the embryo has implanted in the uterus.
4. ENSURES THAT THE PREGNANCY IS NOT ECTOPIC
An ectopic pregnancy is one where the embryo is implanted somewhere other than the uterus. This could be a dangerous situation because the abortion pill will not cause an ectopic pregnancy to abort. The ectopic pregnancy could rupture, causing serious bleeding and infection and can be a life-threatening situation.
5. IDENTIFIES POTENTIAL FOR NATURAL MISCARRIAGE
If a miscarriage occurs naturally there is no need to take the risks involved with a medical abortion. An ultrasound can determine that miscarriage is likely to happen if there is no heartbeat or if the pregnancy has not progressed as expected.
SCHEDULE A FREE ULTRASOUND
Life’s Choices offers a limited OB ultrasound free of charge. Ultrasounds are performed by a registered diagnostic medical sonographer (RDMS) and are read by a physician with expertise in obstetrics and gynecology.
If you are considering a medical abortion (abortion pill), we will be happy to provide you with a pre-termination screening including a free pregnancy test, ultrasound and screening for sexually transmitted infection.
Additionally, our trained staff are here to listen to your concerns and provide you with accurate information about all your options.
Abortion is a decision that should not be made without considering all the implications. An ultrasound is an important step to ensure you do not take unnecessary risks with your health and to allow you to make an informed pregnancy decision.
Take a look at our previous blogs for more information:
To learn more, please contact Life’s Choices today – no pressure, no judgment and full confidentiality. All our services are free.
Disclaimer: Life’s Choices is not an abortion clinic. Life’s Choices does not benefit financially from your pregnancy decision. Life’s Choices does not provide prenatal medical care, birth control, emergency contraception or abortions. We do not refer for emergency contraception or abortions.