Do I need an ultrasound before an abortion? An ultrasound can help you feel confident in what options are the best and safest for you.
3 Reasons you need an ultrasound before taking the abortion pill.
1. Where is the pregnancy located?
Some women’s pregnancies can grow outside of their uterus within the fallopian tubes. This is called an ectopic pregnancy and can be life-threatening. An ultrasound can be an important tool in finding out if you have a potential ectopic pregnancy.
If you are thinking about taking the abortion pill, first schedule an ultrasound to check on if your pregnancy is in the uterus. The abortion pill may not effectively treat an ectopic pregnancy.
At LifeSpring, if the location of your pregnancy is not clear after your ultrasound, you will be referred to appropriate medical services
2. Is the pregnancy viable?
A viable pregnancy has a heartbeat.
Many of the women who have come into our clinic for information on abortion have either had a negative pregnancy test or found out they were miscarrying. If they had not come in, they may have taken the abortion pill unnecessarily and potentially dealt with depression or regret, which can occur after having an abortion [1].
A pregnancy can end without you realizing it, so taking the abortion pill may not be necessary. Mayo Clinic estimates 15-20% of pregnancies end in miscarriage [2]. Approximately 80% of miscarriages occur within the first trimester (before the 12th week) [3]. Women can still have pregnancy symptoms even if the pregnancy is abnormal.
An ultrasound can confirm if you are having a normal pregnancy. At LifeSpring, if the viability of your pregnancy is unclear, you will be referred to appropriate medical services.
3. How many weeks pregnant am I? When did I get pregnant? When did I conceive?
The gestational age, or how far along you are in pregnancy (measured by the number of weeks after your last menstrual period), determines what options are available for you. An ultrasound confirms exactly how far along you are in your pregnancy. Sometimes the LMP is not accurate in predicting how far along you are in your pregnancy.
If you are considering taking the abortion pill, the FDA states you should only take it within the first 10 weeks of pregnancy [4], or when you are about two and a half months pregnant. If you take an abortion pill when you are more than 10 weeks pregnant, the pill may not be effective. The further along you are, there is an increased risk of heavy bleeding [5].
An ultrasound before an abortion is an important first step in knowing what options you have.
Schedule an ultrasound before an abortion
Move forward in the decision of your pregnancy with an ultrasound today. All our services are free and confidential. We are here to empower you with the accurate information you need to make an informed decision for your pregnancy.
Schedule a free ultrasound today.
Sources
1. Reardon DC. The abortion and mental health controversy: A comprehensive literature review of common ground agreements, disagreements, actionable recommendations, and research opportunities. SAGE Open Med. 2018 Oct 29;6
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pregnancy-loss-miscarriage/symptoms-causes/syc-20354298#:~:text=About%2010%20to%2020%20percent,even%20know%20about%20a%20pregnancy. (Accessed October 17th, 2023)
3. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ Committee on Practice Bulletins—Gynecology. ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 200: Early Pregnancy Loss. Obstet Gynecol. 2018 Nov;132(5):e197-e207.
4. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/information-about-mifepristone-medical-termination-pregnancy-through-ten-weeks-gestation (Accessed October 17th, 2023)
5. Macnaughton H, Nothnagle M, Early J. Mifepristone and Misoprostol for Early Pregnancy Loss and Medication Abortion. Am Fam Physician. 2021 Apr; 103(8):473-480. PMID: 33856168.