Do I Still Need an Ultrasound if I Plan to Get an Abortion?

The simple answer to this question is easy: yes. Allow us to explain why. An ultrasound scan provides an incredible view into a woman’s body to see what is actually happening. Remember, a positive pregnancy test does not necessarily mean you are definitely pregnant. Learn more on our blog Can I Have a Positive Pregnancy Test and Not be Pregnant?

A positive pregnancy test is only the first step. Next, you will need an ultrasound to check a couple of things:

• To determine how far along you are in pregnancy. This is crucial because different types of abortion procedures are offered depending on this information.
• To see if the pregnancy is developing within the uterus. If the pregnancy is not contained within the uterus, this is referred to as an ectopic pregnancy that requires immediate medical attention.
• The ultrasound can detect fetal cardiac activity if there is a heartbeat. Sometimes a woman is pregnant, but the baby does not have a heartbeat and has already passed, but the woman’s body has not yet passed the deceased baby.

If an ultrasound has not been performed and any of the above information has not been confirmed, you may not need an abortion. An abortion is a medical procedure and like all medical procedures, there are potential risks and side effects. Why put yourself at risk when you may not even have a decision to make? It is the best medical practice to have an ultrasound before scheduling an abortion.

If you or someone you know, think you might be pregnant or recently found out you are pregnant and this was not in your plans, contact Your Options Medical today. We can provide you with pregnancy testing, ultrasound, pregnancy options counseling, and more. By the way, these services are offered free of charge to all our patients. You pay us nothing and we do not require insurance.

Schedule an appointment today!