A positive pregnancy test is only one piece of information. Before considering abortion, there are important medical details to confirm. Understanding your pregnancy before making any appointments or arrangements helps protect your health and gives you a clearer picture of your pregnancy.
Schedule a free, confidential appointment at A Women’s Pregnancy Center in Tallahassee. Following a positive pregnancy test, the center can provide a free, limited ultrasound so you have what you need before any next steps.
What the Ultrasound Confirms
A home pregnancy test tells you one thing: the hormone hCG is present. It says nothing about where the pregnancy is located, whether the pregnancy is viable (confirmed by cardiac activity), or estimates how far along you are.
These are important medical details because they help protect your health and identify conditions, such as an ectopic pregnancy, that require immediate medical attention. They also provide the information needed to better understand your pregnancy before considering your next steps.
Whether the Pregnancy Is in the Right Location
When a pregnancy implants outside the uterus, most commonly in a fallopian tube, it is called an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy cannot be treated with an abortion procedure. It requires immediate medical care and can become life-threatening if left untreated.
Early symptoms can closely resemble those of a normal early pregnancy, making ultrasound the most reliable way to confirm the pregnancy’s location as soon as possible.
Whether the Pregnancy Is Still Progressing
According to the Mayo Clinic, approximately 20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage. Because hCG can remain in the body for weeks after a pregnancy loss, a positive pregnancy test does not necessarily confirm an ongoing pregnancy.
An ultrasound can determine whether the pregnancy is progressing. If a miscarriage has already occurred, the pregnancy is no longer continuing, and a healthcare provider can determine whether any follow-up medical care is needed.
How Far Along You Are
Knowing how far along you are is an important part of evaluating your pregnancy. Because dates based on your last menstrual period can be inaccurate, particularly if you have irregular cycles, an ultrasound provides a more reliable estimate of gestational age. If you’re considering abortion, gestational age is also one of the medical factors that determines which options may be available. The abortion pill, for example, is FDA-approved only through 10 weeks of pregnancy.
Your Next Step
A Women’s Pregnancy Center offers free pregnancy testing and limited ultrasounds.
Schedule your free, confidential appointment today.
Call or text: (850) 297-1174
At our clinic, we do not perform or refer for abortions, but we are committed to being an affordable first step so that you can receive the information and clarity you need prior to such a big decision.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.