September 20, 2019

3 Reasons You Should Receive an Ultrasound before Getting an Abortion

In an unplanned pregnancy and considering your options? Have you thought about receiving an ultrasound first?

In you are facing an unplanned pregnancy, receiving an ultrasound will provide you with invaluable information about your health and the status of your pregnancy. This information can provide much-needed clarity in making a decision about your pregnancy.

Here’s why:

1. The gestational age determines the cost of an abortion, and an ultrasound is the best tool for determining gestational age.

The cost of an abortion can vary greatly based on different factors. The primary factor that determines the cost of an abortion is the gestational age—how far along the woman is in the pregnancy.

Gestation refers to the time a woman is pregnant and spans from the last menstrual period to the time when she gives birth, which is roughly 40 weeks. Gestational age describes the length of time the woman has been pregnant and the “age” of her preborn baby.

It’s quite common for a woman not to find out she’s pregnant until she’s several weeks or even a couple months pregnant. It’s not enough for a woman to consider the date of her last menstrual period. While this is an important starting point in determining the gestational age, an ultrasound is necessary to confirm the age of the preborn child.

When a woman is considering an abortion, she should know the gestational age before moving forward with a decision. Determining how far along she is determines the type of abortion and, consequently, the cost of that abortion.

2. An ultrasound reveals what’s happening inside the woman’s body.

When a woman is faced with an unplanned pregnancy, she may find it helpful to understand the fullness of what’s taking place in her body.

From the moment of conception, the preborn baby begins growing and developing at an astounding rate. In fact, the preborn baby’s heart begins to beat as early as 21 days after conception and is visible with an ultrasound beginning around 6 weeks.

This means that before some women even begin to experience any pregnancy symptoms (aside from a missed period) her preborn baby is already alive and active. Having an ultrasound reveals this activity inside the woman’s body, including the rapidly beating heart.

3. An ultrasound confirms a viable pregnancy.

Did you know that the RU-486, also known as the abortion pill, is not safe to take if the pregnancy is ectopic? An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg implants somewhere other than the uterus, typically in the fallopian tube. If this occurs, the pregnancy is not viable and medical care is necessary. Taking the abortion pill will not resolve an ectopic pregnancy. Instead, it could lead to further, more serious health complications.

A pregnancy test cannot reveal whether a pregnancy is ectopic. An ultrasound is necessary.

At Woman’s New Life Clinic, we provide free ultrasounds for women in an unplanned pregnancy.

We know that an unexpected pregnancy can be an unsettling experience. We’re here to provide the medical care and professional support to help you both as you navigate a pregnancy decision and afterwards.

All our unplanned pregnancy services are free and confidential. We’re here for you with the support you need to make an informed and safe decision.

Call us today to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are also welcome.

In New Orleans: 504.831.3117
In Baton Rouge: 225.663.6470