If you are considering a termination, the first thing that determines your options is how far along the pregnancy is. Medication abortion is available up to a certain point, and in-clinic abortion is used from there. The most accurate way to find out where you are is with an ultrasound, not just a pregnancy test.
Getting one before a termination provides us with information that directly affects your care. At Rose Women’s Medical Center, you can get an early pregnancy ultrasound in a private, supportive setting before deciding on next steps. In this blog, we explain why gestational age matters and what an ultrasound checks for.
Gestational age determines which type of termination is appropriate and how we’ll approach your care. Medication abortion is only approved up to around 10 to 12 weeks of pregnancy, depending on your state’s guidelines. If someone thinks they are eight weeks along but an ultrasound shows they are closer to 12, that changes whether medication abortion is an option at all.
Taking abortion pills outside the appropriate window can result in an incomplete abortion that requires additional care.
In-clinic abortion covers a broader gestational range, but the specific procedure still depends on how far along your pregnancy is. We need an accurate measurement before we can determine which applies to you and how to prepare.
Gestational age is the main reason most people get an early ultrasound, but it also checks for other equally important things.
The first is whether your pregnancy is located inside the uterus. Ectopic pregnancies, where the egg implants outside the uterus, are a serious medical situation that cannot be addressed with abortion medication or a standard termination procedure. Without an ultrasound, an ectopic pregnancy can go undetected until it becomes dangerous.
An ultrasound also confirms whether the pregnancy is progressing, checks for multiples, and provides a baseline, which helps us interpret follow-up results, particularly with medication abortion, where a follow-up is needed to confirm the process is complete.
Early pregnancy ultrasounds, typically those done before around ten weeks,are often performed transvaginally. This means a small, smooth probe is gently inserted into your vagina to get a clearer image of the uterus. It sounds more uncomfortable than it usually is. The procedure is brief, and most people find it tolerable with minimal discomfort.
A transabdominal ultrasound, where the probe moves across the abdomen, may be used depending on the gestational age. The appointment itself is usually straightforward. We’ll take measurements, confirm the location of the pregnancy, and give you information about gestational age. You will leave with information that’ll help you decide on your next steps.
Not everyone coming in for an early ultrasound has made a decision, and that is completely fine. An ultrasound does not commit you to anything. It just gives you the information you need to make whatever decision is right for you from an informed place.
If you are earlier than you thought, you may have more options and more time than you realized. If you are further along, knowing sooner means you can move forward without unnecessary delay.
Without knowing how far along a pregnancy is, it is difficult to know which termination options are available, how to prepare, or what to expect. An ultrasound gives you and your provider the information needed to move forward.
If you are considering a termination and want to understand your options, scheduling an ultrasound is the place to start. Call us at 847-916-2447 today or request an online appointment.
