After a positive pregnancy test, it’s normal for you to feel overwhelmed. Your next step is to confirm your results with an ultrasound.
What is an ultrasound?
An ultrasound is an imaging procedure that allows your nurse to see inside of your uterus. A transducer emits high-frequency sound waves and projects an image based on how they bounce back.
When should I get an ultrasound?
If your pregnancy test comes back positive and you are more than an estimated six weeks pregnant, your nurse may elect to provide you with an ultrasound exam.
Why do I need an ultrasound?
At Alpha Center, we provide ultrasounds to discover three things about your pregnancy.
- Fetus viability
- Location of the pregnancy
- Age of the fetus
What is fetus viability?
During your ultrasound, your nurse will look for and measure the fetal heart rate and check to see that the pregnancy is progressing normally inside of your uterus. Once a heart rate is established, a pregnancy is generally considered to be viable.
Why does the location of the pregnancy matter?
To safely carry a pregnancy to term, the pregnancy must be located in the uterus. If the pregnancy has implanted somewhere outside of the uterus, like in the fallopian tubes, there will not be enough room for the pregnancy to develop fully. If allowed to continue, the pregnancy could pose a threat to you.
Even if you are considering having an abortion, it’s important to know whether or not the pregnancy is ectopic because an abortion (surgical or medical) would not resolve an ectopic pregnancy.
Why do I need to know the age of the fetus?
Depending on how far along the pregnancy is, your options may change. We estimate how far along the pregnancy is to give you more accurate information on the options available to you.
What is my next step?
After an ultrasound, it is time to start considering all of your options. Our nurses are here to answer all of your questions about abortion, adoption, and parenting– without judgment.
Request an Appointment –they’re offered at no cost to our patients!
Ultrasound scans are used to confirm the presence of a viable, intrauterine pregnancy. We do not use ultrasound to determine gender or diagnose abnormalities. Eligibility criteria apply.