Discovering an unexpected pregnancy can be emotional and challenging. If you are considering the options for how to move forward, we want to help you have all the necessary information to make your final decision.
At Positive Alternatives, we recommend getting an early ultrasound to confirm the timeline and location of your pregnancy. An ultrasound plays a large role in ensuring the safety and effectiveness of any future decision you might make.
Confirming Gestational Age
Although home pregnancy tests are very accurate, false positives can happen. An ultrasound provides a confirmation by visually identifying the pregnancy.
Determining the gestational age of the pregnancy is another function of an early ultrasound. Gestational age, measured in weeks from your last period, provides important information about the development of the baby. Understanding this timeline can help in considering the best option for you in the future.
Ensuring the Pregnancy is Uterine
Another important reason for an early ultrasound is to confirm the location of the pregnancy. While the vast majority of pregnancies implant in the uterus, ectopic pregnancies, where the embryo implants outside the uterus can occur. Ectopic pregnancies are not viable and can pose health risks, including severe bleeding and damage to the reproductive organs.
Detecting an ectopic pregnancy early through ultrasound allows for immediate medical intervention, potentially saving the woman’s life and preserving her future fertility. Without an ultrasound, an ectopic pregnancy might be misdiagnosed, leading to dangerous complications.
Assessing Viability
An early ultrasound can also help assess the viability of the pregnancy and can detect signs that indicate whether a pregnancy is likely to continue, such as the presence of a fetal heartbeat. Knowing the viability of the pregnancy can significantly impact decision-making, providing clarity and reducing uncertainty during an already stressful time.
Personal and Emotional Considerations
Beyond the medical implications, there are personal and emotional reasons to undergo an early ultrasound. For many women, seeing the ultrasound provides a sense of connection and certainty. It transforms the abstract idea of pregnancy into a tangible reality, helping them make more informed and confident decisions about the life they are carrying.
For those who are undecided about continuing the pregnancy, an ultrasound can offer a clearer picture of the situation, allowing you to weigh your options with a full understanding of the pregnancy’s status.
Informed Decision-Making
An early ultrasound empowers women with what they need to make informed, life-affirming decisions about their pregnancies. Whether they choose to continue the pregnancy, consider adoption, or explore other options, having a clear understanding of their situation is crucial.
Conclusion
Getting an early ultrasound to confirm pregnancy is a critical step before considering an abortion. It ensures the accuracy of the pregnancy diagnosis, determines the gestational age, confirms the pregnancy’s location, and assesses its viability. These factors are essential for making informed, safe, and life-affirming decisions about the pregnancy. For anyone facing this challenging decision, an early ultrasound provides clarity, safety, and peace of mind, forming the foundation for responsible and compassionate healthcare.
You deserve to know about all your options and the risks. Schedule your free and confidential appointment today to learn more.
Making a final pregnancy decision can seem overwhelming. We hope you feel empowered and informed to make a confident pregnancy decision for your future.
https://www.heartbeatinternational.org/
https://www.northvalleywomenscare.com/blog/when-to-get-your-babys-first-ultrasound-2020-edition
