Why Do I Need an Ultrasound?

Maybe your pregnancy test came back positive, but you want a second opinion. Your next step is to receive an ultrasound! However, you may be wondering why you’d want an ultrasound, especially if you’re thinking about terminating the pregnancy. 

The answer is that ultrasounds provide the insight needed to make an informed and empowered decision for an unplanned pregnancy! They determine two key things about your pregnancy: viability and gestational age.

What is Pregnancy Viability?

A viable pregnancy means that the pregnancy is progressing properly. For example, at about six weeks, the embryo should have a heartbeat[1]. The goal is to rule out a nonviable pregnancy, such as a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy—in either case, abortion isn’t needed.

What is Gestational Age?

How far along am I? Your ultrasound can answer that question! It’s important to know how far along you are (also known as your gestational age), as you can’t take the abortion pill past 10 weeks of pregnancy[2]. If you intend to travel out of state for a surgical abortion, be aware that the surrounding areas may prohibit abortion beyond a certain point in your pregnancy as well.

Before spending your money only to find out you aren’t eligible for abortion, consider receiving a free ultrasound at Mid Cities Women’s Clinic! If your ultrasound determines that you’re too far along for abortion, our compassionate patient advocates will help you explore all of your pregnancy options, so you can make the best choice for your health and future!

Schedule Your Free Ultrasound Today

No matter where you are in your unplanned pregnancy journey, you aren’t alone! Mid Cities Women’s Clinic provides free ultrasounds in Arlington and Grand Prairie, TX, so you can get the insight needed to make an informed decision.

Call us at (817) 512-8572, text us at (817) 442-6147, or schedule your appointment online today. 

Please be aware that Mid Cities Women’s Clinic does not provide or refer for abortion services. Additionally, this article is not meant to be a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Our limited ultrasound examination is strictly for the purposes of confirming your pregnancy, detecting fetal cardiac activity, and estimating gestational age. We cannot diagnose any medical problems you may be experiencing, pregnancy-related or otherwise. 

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Sources

  1. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022, September 3). Slide Show: Fetal Ultrasound. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/multimedia/fetal-ultrasound/sls-20076294?s=3# 
  2. Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. (2021, December 16). Mifeprex (Mifepristone). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/mifeprex-mifepristone-information 
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