If you’ve received a positive pregnancy test and are considering abortion, you may feel ready to move forward. However, a positive test doesn’t give you enough information to know which options apply to your situation.
Oasis Women’s Services provides no-cost pregnancy testing and limited obstetrical ultrasounds performed by medical staff. You can come to us before you’ve made a decision and learn more about your pregnancy.
Schedule a no-cost appointment with Oasis Women’s Services today to get started. And read on to learn more about why an ultrasound matters before an abortion.
A Positive Test Doesn’t Tell You Everything
Pregnancy tests detect hCG, a hormone produced during pregnancy, but they don’t tell you whether the pregnancy is actually progressing.
As many as 26% of all pregnancies are estimated to end in miscarriage. Following a miscarriage, hCG takes time to decrease to pre-pregnancy levels, meaning a pregnancy test may remain positive for a period of time.
An ultrasound can help determine whether the pregnancy is developing and whether additional medical follow-up may be necessary.
An Ultrasound Can Identify Where the Pregnancy Is
Most pregnancies implant inside the uterus. Occasionally, implantation happens somewhere else.
An ectopic pregnancy occurs outside the uterus, most commonly in a fallopian tube. Unlike a pregnancy developing inside the uterus, an ectopic pregnancy cannot continue and requires medical care.
If left untreated, an ectopic pregnancy can eventually cause a rupture and dangerous internal bleeding.
The abortion pill doesn’t end an ectopic pregnancy. An ultrasound can help medical staff determine whether your pregnancy is located within the uterus and identify when further evaluation may be needed.
Your Estimated Due Date May Be Incorrect
You may have used the date of your last period to calculate how far along you are. That’s a useful starting point, but it’s still an estimate.
Cycles can vary. Ovulation doesn’t always occur when expected, and sometimes it’s difficult to remember the exact date your last period started.
An ultrasound can provide a more reliable estimate of gestational age.
This is critical if you’re considering abortion because the type of procedure available depends in part on how far along you are. The abortion pill, for example, is FDA-approved only through 10 weeks of gestation.
Find Out More About Your Pregnancy
You don’t need to decide what you’re going to do before making an appointment. Your priority can just be getting more information in a safe space.
At Oasis Women’s Services, our medical staff can help you understand details that a positive pregnancy test alone can’t provide. Schedule your no-cost appointment today to receive pregnancy testing and learn whether a limited obstetrical ultrasound is appropriate for you.
*Oasis Women’s Services does not provide or refer for abortions.
**All abortion information in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.