Maybe you’ve taken a pregnancy test (or six) and determined that you are, in fact, in the throes of an unexpected – maybe even unwanted – pregnancy. Perhaps you’ve done a little research on your options and are leaning toward abortion.
Before you make any decisions, you need to have all the information about your pregnancy and a part of that process is having a viability ultrasound.
I’m leaning toward abortion. Why should I get a viability ultrasound?
Deciding to have an abortion is a big choice that should not be taken lightly. A viability ultrasound, performed by qualified, licensed medical professionals, will provide valuable information to aid in your decision.
There are different types of abortion procedures and different criteria for each. Therefore, it is important to have all the information available to you prior to making any decisions. A viability ultrasound will help you know what type of abortion is available and whether or not you actually need an abortion.
What exactly does a viability ultrasound do?
The first thing a viability ultrasound will do is simple – help determine whether or not you need an abortion. Medical professionals estimate that almost 1 in 4 pregnancies end naturally. So even if your pregnancy test is positive, it might not be viable.
Scheduling a viability ultrasound might save you the pain, inconvenience and money of an abortion. Care Net of Puget Sound offers free, viability ultrasounds at 8 medical clinics located throughout King and Pierce County. You can schedule one today by clicking here.
Care Net of Puget Sound does not provide or refer for abortions so rest assured that we will not pressure or try to sell you an abortion after your ultrasound.
Here is a more detailed breakdown of what a viability ultrasound will do:
- Check to see if your pregnancy is properly placed in your uterus
- Date your pregnancy
- Detect the fetal heartbeat (if present)
Let’s break down each of these.
1. Check to see if your pregnancy is properly placed in your uterus.
An incorrect LMP could result in an unsuccessful or incomplete abortion. A viability ultrasound, performed by qualified personnel, is the most reliable method of dating your pregnancy.
Occasionally a fertilized egg will implant outside of the uterus, most commonly in the fallopian tube. This is called an ectopic or tubal pregnancy and it is highly dangerous. Ectopic pregnancies are not sustainable and must be removed for the health of the mother. The process to remove an ectopic pregnancy is different from an abortion. It is a necessary medical procedure to save the life of the mother.
Through a viability ultrasound, we will determine whether or not the pregnancy is in your uterus so you can make an informed next step.
2. Date your pregnancy.
If you are uncertain of the date of your last menstrual period (LMP) or have an inconsistent cycle, it may be difficult to know how far along your pregnancy is. Accurately dating your pregnancy is crucial to the decision-making process as it will determine what your options are moving forward.
For example, the abortion pill is most effective at ending early pregnancies (up to 10 weeks)
3. Detect the fetal heartbeat (if present).
Almost 1 in 4 pregnancies ends in miscarriage. It is possible to have a positive pregnancy test even if you are having a miscarriage. A viability ultrasound will allow the nurse or ultrasound technician to detect the heartbeat of your baby to determine viability. Our medical centers provide viability ultrasounds free of charge and without pressure or judgment.
It is immensely important to have all the information prior to making any decision about your pregnancy. No matter the outcome, the decision you make will impact the rest of your life.
Schedule a viability ultrasound and our client advocates will walk you through every option. The decision is yours to make and you are not alone.
