If you’re considering abortion after an unexpected pregnancy, don’t base your decision on a pregnancy test alone. A test shows that pregnancy hormones are present, but it does not provide the medical details that could affect your health.
Before making a final decision, a limited ultrasound can answer critical questions about your pregnancy. At Choices Pregnancy Center, we offer free, confidential services including self-administered pregnancy tests and limited ultrasounds for eligible clients, so you can move forward with reliable information.
Call (417) 468-5555 or schedule an appointment today.
Here are three reasons why an ultrasound is an essential step.
A Positive Test Does Not Tell You Everything
A pregnancy test detects hCG, a hormone produced after a fertilized egg implants in the uterus. However, the presence of hCG alone does not provide the medical details needed to assess your health.
A limited ultrasound can determine:
- Whether the pregnancy is located inside the uterus
- Whether there are signs of development
- How far along are you
These details matter when evaluating your options. Without them, you may be making a decision without complete medical information.
1. Viability Changes the Conversation
Research shows that 10–20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage. Because hCG can remain in your system even after a loss, a positive test does not always reflect what is currently taking place.
Viability refers to whether a pregnancy is continuing and developing as expected. Ultrasound provides a direct view of the pregnancy, assessing whether development is progressing and whether a fetal heartbeat is present at the expected stage.
If the pregnancy has already ended, abortion would no longer be a consideration, and attention would shift to any appropriate follow-up care.
2. The Location of the Pregnancy Affects Your Health
Most pregnancies develop inside the uterus. However, about 2% of known pregnancies implant outside the uterus, most often in a fallopian tube. This is known as an ectopic pregnancy.
An ectopic pregnancy cannot continue normally and may cause life-threatening internal bleeding if untreated, and requires immediate emergency care. Abortion pills do not treat this condition. An ultrasound helps determine whether the pregnancy is located within the uterus so that any medical concerns can be addressed promptly.
3. How Far Along You Are Impacts Risk
The number of weeks into pregnancy directly affects medical risk. Abortion pills are FDA-approved for use only through 10 weeks of gestation. Beyond this timeframe, the risk of complications rises, including incomplete abortion and prolonged bleeding that requires additional care.
Relying solely on the date of your last menstrual period can lead to miscalculations, especially if your cycles are irregular. Limited ultrasound provides a more dependable way to determine gestational age before making a final decision.
Your Health Deserves Attention
At Choices Pregnancy Center, our staff is here to sit down with you, listen to your concerns, and offer confidential support. You deserve time to process your options with accurate information.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment and take a responsible first step before making any permanent decision.
Choices Pregnancy Center does not provide or refer for abortions.