Facing an unexpected pregnancy can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to let fear guide your decisions. Getting accurate information about your options, including the role of an ultrasound before abortion, is key to making an informed and empowered choice.
This article explores Texas’s abortion laws and why an ultrasound before abortion is a critical step in your pregnancy journey. At Mid Cities Women's Clinic, we’re here to provide the support and clarity you need during this time.
Is Abortion Legal in Texas?
Abortion is currently banned in Texas, except to preserve the life of the pregnant woman. This will not affect care for miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. A woman who seeks or obtains an abortion will not be held criminally or civilly liable under Texas law.[1][2]
If you still intend to seek out an abortion, we strongly recommend receiving an ultrasound first. Keep reading to learn why.
Why Is an Ultrasound Before Abortion Necessary?
An ultrasound before abortion provides essential information to help you make a confident decision about your unplanned pregnancy, offering clarity on two critical factors: pregnancy viability and gestational age. By confirming these details, an ultrasound ensures you have the facts needed to navigate Texas’s abortion laws and explore your options.
What Does Pregnancy Viability Mean?
A viable pregnancy indicates that the pregnancy is progressing normally and has the potential to continue to term. During an ultrasound, technicians check for signs like a detectable heartbeat, which typically appears between 6.5 and 7 weeks of gestation.[3]
Having an ultrasound before abortion also helps rule out nonviable pregnancies, such as miscarriages or ectopic pregnancies (meaning, the pregnancy is outside the uterus). In these cases, abortion is not necessary. Alternative medical care is required, especially for ectopic pregnancies, which can be life-threatening if untreated.
It’s important to know that ectopic pregnancies are not treated by the abortion pill. Additionally, there are no abortion laws that would prohibit women from receiving care for ectopic pregnancies.
Taking the abortion pill with an undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy can be dangerous, as it does not end pregnancies located outside of the uterus. Not only will it cause unnecessary pain, but it could delay necessary urgent medical care, increasing the risk of serious complications, such as a rupture, or even death.
Why Gestational Age Matters
Gestational age refers to how far along you are in your pregnancy, measured from the first day of your last menstrual period.
In Texas, knowing your gestational age is crucial because the abortion pill (mifepristone) is only FDA-approved for use up to 10 weeks of gestation.[4]
Benefits of an Ultrasound Before Abortion
Receiving an ultrasound before abortion offers several benefits beyond meeting legal requirements.
It provides peace of mind by confirming the pregnancy’s status, helping you avoid unnecessary procedures or costs if the pregnancy isn’t viable. For example, if an ultrasound reveals a miscarriage, you can pursue appropriate medical care instead of an abortion.
Similarly, identifying an ectopic pregnancy early can be life-saving. Moreover, an ultrasound empowers you with knowledge, allowing you to make decisions aligned with your health and circumstances.
What to Expect During an Ultrasound
An abdominal ultrasound is a safe, non-invasive procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to create detailed images of your pregnancy.
During the ultrasound, you’ll lie comfortably on an exam table while a trained technician applies a warm gel to your abdomen. They’ll gently glide a handheld device called a transducer over your skin, allowing them to take images of the pregnancy and see what is going on internally. You can expect to learn about your pregnancy’s viability and gestational age, helping you make informed decisions.
At Mid Cities Women's Clinic, our trained staff ensures a compassionate and supportive experience, answering any questions you may have.
Free Ultrasounds in Euless, Texas
No matter where you are in your unexpected pregnancy journey, you aren’t alone! Our trained ultrasound technicians are here to provide the support and vital information needed to make an informed decision.
We offer free pregnancy tests, free ultrasounds, and a safe, compassionate space to explore your pregnancy options.
Don’t wait to get the care you deserve! Give us a call at 817-577-4387 or schedule your appointment today.
Please be aware that 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. Additionally, we do not provide or refer for abortion services.
Sources
- Texas Constitution and Statutes. (2022, August 25). Health and Safety Code Chapter 170A. Performance of Abortion. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/HS/htm/HS.170A.htm
- Texas Constitution and Statutes. (2021, September 1). Health and Safety Code Chapter 171. Abortion. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/HS/pdf/HS.171.pdf
- Cleveland Clinic. (2023, March 3). Fetal Development. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/7247-fetal-development-stages-of-growth
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. (2023, March 23). Mifeprex (Mifepristone). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/mifeprex-mifepristone-information