Although it seems unbelievable, a late period and a positive pregnancy test may not be enough information to determine if you are actually pregnant. Over one in four pregnancies end in a miscarriage, and it’s possible to get a positive pregnancy test days or even weeks after miscarrying.
An ultrasound determines whether your pregnancy is developing or if you’ve miscarried. It also determines how far along you are, which is vital information if you are considering abortion. Find out why getting an ultrasound is essential if you’re considering abortion.
What if You Are No Longer Pregnant?
Experts estimate that as many as 26% of all pregnancies end in a miscarriage, and 80% of those occur in the first 12 to 13 weeks.
Depending on how long you were pregnant, it can take days or weeks for your body to return to its pre-pregnancy hormone levels after a miscarriage. Leftover hCG (the pregnancy hormone) in your system could lead to a positive pregnancy test.
An ultrasound can detect a fetal heartbeat if your pregnancy is developing. If there is no heartbeat, you have either miscarried or it is too early to detect.
What Abortion Method Are You Considering?
Usually, the number of weeks you have been pregnant determines the type of abortion procedure you qualify for. For instance, if you are considering the abortion pill method, the FDA approves the use of abortion drugs through 10 weeks of pregnancy only. The drugs become less effective the further along you are in your pregnancy.
Some of the risks of using abortion drugs include the following, according to the Mayo Clinic:
- An incomplete abortion: the drugs terminated the pregnancy, but not all of the pregnancy tissue left the body. An incomplete abortion could result in serious health complications.
- An ongoing pregnancy
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
An ultrasound technician can measure the pregnancy to determine the exact number of weeks you have been pregnant.
Is Your Pregnancy Located Correctly?
Although rare, some pregnancies form outside the uterus. The pregnancy may implant in a fallopian tube, which leads to the uterus. This type of pregnancy is called ectopic.
If the pregnancy implants outside the uterus and continues growing, it could result in severe internal bleeding, making an ectopic pregnancy extremely dangerous, even life-threatening.
An abortion does not remove an ectopic pregnancy. You’ll need immediate treatment for this condition.
Get a No-Cost, Limited Obstetrical Ultrasound
Protect your health and safety with a no-cost, limited obstetrical ultrasound at Affirm Women’s Health. Make an appointment for a no-cost, medical-grade pregnancy test. If your test is positive, we’ll arrange for your ultrasound.
Don’t skip this essential step. Get the information you need with a no-cost ultrasound. You can conveniently schedule an appointment online or call us at 859-575-7060. Although we do not perform or refer for abortions, we’ll be happy to answer your questions and give you more information about abortion procedures.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.