3 Reasons to Schedule an Ultrasound Before an Abortion

When faced with an unexpected pregnancy, your decision-making process can be overwhelming and filled with conflicting emotions and uncertainties. To ensure that you make a well-informed decision, you should schedule an ultrasound before an abortion appointment. By shedding light on the location of the pregnancy, its gestational age, and its viability, an ultrasound empowers individuals to make the most suitable choice for their circumstances. 

Determining Location 

While a normal pregnancy typically develops within the uterus, an ectopic pregnancy develops outside the uterus and it can pose severe health risks that cannot be resolved through abortion procedures.  Scheduling an ultrasound before an abortion can help you check the location of the pregnancy. In fact, physicians cannot diagnose ectopic pregnancies except through ultrasounds.  Without understanding the location of your pregnancy, you could be at serious risk. Ultrasounds are a crucial step in ensuring you make an informed decision.  

Assessing Gestational Age

Understanding the gestational age of the pregnancy constitutes the second crucial aspect addressed through an ultrasound. This information serves as a determining factor in the type of abortion procedure required. Chemical abortions are typically viable within the first 11 weeks of pregnancy, while surgical abortions become necessary after that. Considering the differences in cost and accessibility between these procedures, determining gestational age through an ultrasound becomes pivotal in planning the most suitable approach.

Ensuring Viability 

Finally, if you schedule an ultrasound before an abortion, you will be able to make the most informed decision to assess the viability of the pregnancy.  In cases in which the pregnancy is deemed non-viable, pursuing an abortion becomes unnecessary, which would save you both time and financial resources. Thus, an ultrasound serves as a crucial tool in determining the necessity of an abortion procedure.

Schedule the ultrasound before an abortion 

At PSC, we understand the importance of these considerations and are committed to providing the necessary support for your optimal health. Schedule an ultrasound with us today to ensure you have the information needed to make the best decision for your situation. If you’d like to learn more or seek support, you can book an appointment or call (410) 784-4747 .

For further assistance in understanding your pregnancy, you can explore this pregnancy due date calculator and access more information about our FREE ultrasounds.

What is the difference between Plan B and Plan C?

Your reproductive choices are important, which is why we strive to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding reproductive care. Because their names sound similar, many women wonder about the difference between Plan B and Plan C. Plan B and Plan C are not the same and the FDA classifies them separately. They are used at different times and for different purposes. They are also chemically different. Ultimately, they perform different functions within your body.

If you would like further information, schedule a consultation with us. We’d love to be part of your support system, and our services are completely free and confidential.

Plan B

Plan B, also known as the “morning after pill,” Plan B is classified as an emergency contraceptive intended for use up to 72 hours after having unprotected sex or realizing your birth control method may have failed. Plan B must be used as soon as possible; the longer you wait, the less effective it will be. Plan B will not work if a person is already pregnant.[1]

Plan B is composed of a drug called Levonorgestrel, a synthetic hormone that “blunts the… hormone surge that occurs during the pre-ovulation stage.”[2] This means that it prevents your body from releasing an egg or limits the egg’s viability and, therefore decreases the possibility of pregnancy.

Plan C

Plan C, also known as the “abortion pill,” will end an existing pregnancy up to ten weeks in gestation. It is not FDA approved for use after ten weeks gestation. which is why determining the gestational age of the pregnancy is very important. Our clinic will offer a free ultrasound to any pregnant woman to help dating of your pregnancy.

Plan C is not legal in all states. The FDA does not recommend buying Plan C online because online stores bypass safeguards designed to protect you.[3] Plan C is a serious medication and should be provided by a medical professional.

Plan C is a drug called mifepristone, which is a “selective antagonist of progesterone,” meaning that it cuts off the supply of progesterone to the fetus. Therefore, The effects of mifepristone can be reversed by receiving prescription progesterone. If you have started a medication abortion but would like to reverse course, you can contact 1-877-558-0333 to discuss the possibility of reversal. You can also visit: https://www.abortionpillreversal.com/

Further Information

Again, if you would like further information or clarification, schedule an appointment with us. We’d love to be part of your support system. The information we provide is medically accurate and our services are completely free and confidential.

Unexpected News

One December morning while getting ready for work, my husband of only three months brought up excitedly “I think your boobs got bigger!” While his naive excitement was endearing, I quickly addressed his observation with what I thought was a well-known fact, “Jack, that doesn’t just happen.” 

The only scenario that I could think of in which my breasts would suddenly swell was pregnancy. While it was possible that I was pregnant, it was very unlikely and definitely not part of the plan for our first year of marriage. I tried to put the thought aside, but one quick look in the mirror confirmed exactly what my husband had noticed a moment earlier; my bra was fitting a little tighter than it had been just a week before. 

That day at work was a blur. My mind continued to swirl with the possibility of having a child and the drastic changes that would ensue. It wasn’t confirmed that I was carrying, but I Googled signs of pregnancy between meetings. With each article I could feel the anxiety mounting. Somewhere deep down, I knew I was pregnant. 

Naturally, I wanted an answer as soon as possible. That night, we went out and bought a pregnancy test from the local Stop & Shop grocery store. Even that small decision felt impossible. I never knew there were so many options! The isle was lined with boxes all claiming to be more accurate and diagnose sooner than leading competitors. Since my husband is cost-conscious, we just went with the cheapest one.

Initially, my test came back negative, but as the next few days went on, I felt more and more convinced that I was expecting. 

Two Pink Lines and a Million Questions

Christmas came and went, as did the date of my expected period. I looked at my husband Jack and said, “I think we need to check one more time.” I re-read all the instructions just to make sure and peed on the stick. We both sat in our tiny six by six foot bathroom and waited. A second line started to appear, bold, pink and without a doubt pregnant. We actually started laughing. It wasn’t a humorous laughter but a hysterical laughter of unbelief. 

We had planned on having kids but not for a few years. We were newlyweds living in a costly one-bedroom apartment and about to start new, highly demanding jobs that week. Having a baby was totally unexpected. 

I acknowledge that I was in one of the most supportive situations for an unplanned pregnancy, but it didn’t change the roller coaster of emotions that followed those two pink lines: 

·       Would my new supervisor feel deceived? She had been very clear about how many hours she had to work to fill the current void and how desperate she was for additional help.

·       How would maternity leave work if I just started at the company? Could we afford living on one income? 

·       Would we have to move out of our apartment? 

Without any answers to bail the flood of questions pouring over me, it was easy to feel like I was drowning. And I knew the questions would only continue to accumulate over the next nine months. 

The only thing I wanted to do was call my parents. I didn’t really feel excited. I felt scared, defeated and even irresponsible. I felt like I was letting people down—people I didn’t even know yet. 

We waited until my mom, dad and brother were on the phone and we just blurted it out. “I’m pregnant.” They couldn’t see my face. I had tears in my eyes but maybe they could hear my emotion? My mom was silent, shocked. My brother seemed excited but as usual didn’t say much. Then my dad took a second to collect his words and said “Cassie, I’m smiling ear to ear!” 

That changed everything. 

Talk to Someone Who Will Listen

The only thing that started to relieve the initial anxiety of my pregnancy was sharing with other people in my life. 

As we started to share the news with family and close friends, we felt so relieved. Even though not all questions were resolved, I quickly realized the emotional benefit of sharing.

If you need a listening ear, Pregnancy Support Center of Carroll County (PSC) offers free services to help you through the uncertainty. Confidential appointments are available with trained client advocates as well as medical staff. Any significant life change can be weighty to bear alone. Talking to PSC can help. You can make an appointment by clicking here, calling 410-871-4673, or simply walking in.

You don’t have to do this alone. PSC is here to help.

Cassie McCracken

Unexpectant Mother, Experiencing Unexpected Joy