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.