Why You Should Schedule an Ultrasound Before an Abortion

Are you pregnant and unsure about what to do from here? At Your Options Medical, we encourage all expectant mothers to book an ultrasound appointment even if they are planning to have an abortion. Other organizations will tell you that an ultrasound is not necessary, but in this article, we list some main points as to why you should.

1. How far along are you?

An ultrasound will help determine the gestational age (how far along you are in your pregnancy). If you are planning to have an abortion, knowing how far along you are is an important piece of information, as it helps determine which abortion procedures are available to you.

For example, if you are just over 10 weeks, the Abortion Pill (RU-486) is not available to you. Additionally, if you are over 12 weeks, first trimester options are not available to you. Make sure to be informed about the procedure you will be having prior to going in for your appointment.

2. Is the pregnancy viable? Are you prone to miscarriage?

An ultrasound will also help determine if your pregnancy is viable or, in other words, if the heartbeat is present. Additionally, an ultrasound also helps determine the chances of a miscarriage occurring. Studies show that approximately 20 percent of pregnancies under 10 weeks end in miscarriage.

Therefore, why schedule an abortion if you don’t necessarily need one?* Whether you are planning to have an abortion or not, it is always important to know if your pregnancy is viable and if you are prone to miscarriage.

*(Note: Even if you are prone to miscarriage, you still need to seek medical attention).

3. Do you have an ectopic pregnancy?

An ultrasound will also inform you on whether your pregnancy is developing in the uterus. It will also determine whether you have — or are at risk for — an ectopic pregnancy. If you have an ectopic pregnancy, which means the fertilized egg is attached outside of the uterus, you need to seek emergency medical attention immediately.

It is also important to note that if you begin the process of having an abortion while having an ectopic pregnancy, it can be very dangerous and detrimental to your health. To learn more about ectopic pregnancies, visit this website.

4. Don’t go in blind — It’s always best to be kept informed.

An abortion is a medical procedure. Just like with any other medical procedure, you should always be aware and have as much information as possible prior to having the medical procedure. This is your body, and you should know what will be happening within your body, especially before choosing to have a medical procedure. As an expectant woman, you should seek the information owed to you about the procedure and having an ultrasound will provide you with this needed information.

If you think you might be pregnant or if you are considering an abortion, we encourage you to book a no-cost appointment for a pregnancy test and ultrasound at Your Options Medical. Even if you are planning to have an abortion, it is important for you to receive all the information you need regarding your pregnancy, your personal health and the certain procedure you might be looking for. We are here to provide you with the information and support you need!

Click here to schedule an appointment with Your Options Medical today!