Ultrasounds

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Did you recently receive a positive result on your pregnancy test? Did you know this is only the first step in confirming your pregnancy? Ultrasound is the next step. Plus, if you’re thinking about abortion, ultrasound is the only way to get the details you need to know beforehand to stay sfae.

How Ultrasounds Work

Ultrasound imaging, also known as sonography, uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the inside of the body. During pregnancy, ultrasounds are used to visualize your uterus and the developing pregnancy.

During pregnancy, there are two different types of ultrasound used:

Abdominal Ultrasound

This is used later in pregnancy and involves the transducer (the wandlike part of the ultrasound machine) being moved over your abdomen.

Transvaginal Ultrasound

This is used earlier in pregnancy, and it involves the transducer being gently placed inside the vagina.

The Ultrasound Process

Preparation

You may be asked to drink water before the procedure to fill your bladder, which helps provide clearer images of the pregnancy.

Procedure

You lie on an examination table, and a gel is applied to your abdomen. The gel helps transmit the sound waves. A handheld device called a transducer is moved over your abdomen (or inside your vagina if it’s a transvaginal ultrasound), emitting sound waves that bounce off tissues and structures inside your body.

Image Formation

The sound waves are captured and translated into images on a monitor. The technician or doctor analyzes these images to assess the pregnancy’s development and viability.

Why Do I Need an Ultrasound During Pregnancy?

Ultrasound is essential during pregnancy because it gives you the details you need to know to stay safe. If you’re considering abortion, ultrasound will give the essential details you need to know to determine if you’re eligible for abortion or if one is needed at all (since it’s possible you’ve miscarried since recieving a positive pregnancy test result).

These details include:

Pregnancy Viability

Did you know it’s possible to have miscarried since receiving a positive pregnancy test result? Ultrasound will scan for signs of life, like a heartbeat, to determine if your pregnancy is viable. Knowing whether your pregnancy is viable or not will help you understand what to do next.

Gestational Age

Even if you used a period tracker app or can guess the date you conceived, these aren’t reliable methods for dating your pregnancy. Ultrasound takes measurements that can reliably determine your pregnancy’s age. This is especially important if you’re considering abortion, since certain options, like the abortion pill, are only FDA-approved if your pregnancy is 10 weeks gestation or under.

Pregnancy Location

Rarely, a pregnancy will attach and develop outside the uterus. This is a life-threatening condition known as an ectopic pregnancy, and it needs immediate medical intervention.

Where Can I Get a Free Ultrasound Scan?

At Baywater Women’s Clinic, we offer no-cost, limited ultrasounds, because we believe that you deserve to have what you need to stay safe. Our ultrasound scans are administered by a licensed medical professional, overseen by a physician.

As you can see, an ultrasound scan gives you essential data to make your final decision. We want you to have as much knowledge as possible. No one should make a life-altering decision without completely knowing what’s involved. Plus, we never want you to feel like you’re making your decision alone. We’re here to help.

Before making any pregnancy decision, protect your health by contacting us to schedule your no-cost and confidential ultrasound appointment.