Why an Ultrasound is Important Before an Abortion
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You may have taken a pregnancy test and weren’t expecting the result. Maybe you’re feeling unsure, nervous, or just trying to figure out what to do next. Abortion might seem like the quickest way forward, but there’s still a lot you might want to know first.
One of the first steps is getting an ultrasound. It gives you important medical details that a test alone can’t confirm. Things like how far along you are, where the pregnancy is located, and whether it’s progressing normally.
Understanding what’s happening in your body can help bring a little more clarity to a confusing time. You don’t have to decide everything today, but knowing where things stand is a good place to start.
Feeling Unsure About Your Next Step?
It’s common to feel pressure to decide quickly after a positive pregnancy test. Maybe people in your life have strong opinions. Maybe you’re trying to keep it to yourself for now. Whatever your situation, feeling unsure doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. It just means you care about making the right decision.
Before making any choice about your pregnancy, it helps to have space to breathe and access to accurate information. An ultrasound before an abortion can give you a clearer picture of what’s happening. It’s not about locking you into anything. It’s a chance to slow things down and look at the facts first.
You don’t have to have it all figured out. One step at a time is enough.
What an Ultrasound Can Tell You
A pregnancy test can suggest you’re pregnant, but it doesn’t confirm what’s actually happening inside your body. That’s where an ultrasound comes in. It provides important medical details that help you understand the next steps.
Here’s what an ultrasound can show:
Gestational age — how far along you are in the pregnancy
Pregnancy location — whether the pregnancy is developing in the uterus
Viability — if there is cardiac activity, which can indicate a progressing pregnancy
This information matters. For example, if the pregnancy isn’t in the uterus, it could be ectopic, which requires immediate medical attention. If there’s no heartbeat or the pregnancy isn’t progressing, you may not need to make a decision about abortion at all.
Why You Need an Ultrasound Before an Abortion
If you’re considering abortion, it might feel like something you need to act on quickly. But without knowing the details of your pregnancy, there’s a chance you could move forward without all the information you need to protect your health.
An ultrasound before an abortion can confirm that the pregnancy is located in the uterus, is developing, and how far along you are. These details directly impact what type of abortion procedures may be available to you, and if you might be at risk for complications.
Skipping this step could mean undergoing a procedure for a pregnancy that isn’t viable or needs a different kind of medical care. That’s not something anyone wants to find out too late.
Ultrasound gives you a clearer starting point so your next decision is based on facts, not assumptions.
What Happens During an Ultrasound Appointment
If you've never had an ultrasound before, you might feel nervous or unsure about what to expect. The process is simple and typically takes less than an hour.
At Willow Women’s Center, the appointment starts with a lab-grade pregnancy test. If the result is positive, the next step is an ultrasound performed by a trained medical professional. Depending on how far along you are, the scan may be done abdominally or transvaginally. Both methods are safe and commonly used in early pregnancy care.
During the scan, the nurse will take images to confirm how far along you are, check for a heartbeat, and make sure the pregnancy is located in the uterus. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and talk through what the results mean.
There’s no cost, no insurance required, and no pressure to make a decision during the appointment.
Get a Free Ultrasound Exam in Beloit
Willow Womens Center offers no-cost pregnancy confirmation appointments to women in Beloit and the surrounding areas. If your test is positive, you may qualify for an ultrasound during the same visit.
Our team is here to provide clear medical information in a calm, supportive environment. We don’t profit from your decision, and we’re not here to pressure you. We’re here to help you understand what’s happening in your body so you can take your next step with confidence.
If you’re considering abortion,
schedule an appointment to get an ultrasound and find out exactly what’s going on. You don’t have to do this alone. We're here when you're ready.
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