Why Do I Need an Ultrasound?

An ultrasound will give you specific information about your pregnancy that will help determine your next steps. Our limited obstetric ultrasound exam will answer these three essential questions:

1. Is My Pregnancy Growing, or Have I Miscarried?

Experts estimate as many as 26% of all pregnancies end in a miscarriage. That’s more than one in four pregnancies! Because it takes time for your hormones to return to pre-pregnancy levels, it is possible to get a positive pregnancy test result days or weeks following a miscarriage.

An ultrasound determines if the pregnancy is growing by detecting a heartbeat. If there isn’t a heartbeat, it’s either too early in the pregnancy or you have miscarried.

2. How Far Along Am I In My Pregnancy?

Knowing the gestational age is particularly important if you are considering abortion. Although many women use period tracker apps, research finds they are not as reliable as women think.

The FDA approves the use of abortion drugs through 10 weeks of pregnancy only. Why? The drugs are less effective the farther along you are in your pregnancy. An ultrasound exam will provide a more accurate approximation of gestational age.

3. Is the Pregnancy Developing in the Correct Location?

When a pregnancy develops outside the uterus, it is known as an ectopic pregnancy. Although rare, an ectopic pregnancy is extremely dangerous and may even be life-threatening. You need to see your healthcare provider immediately if one is detected.

How Can I Get a Free Ultrasound Exam?

The first step is to make an appointment for free pregnancy testing. Our ultrasound services are available only to qualified Pregnancy Help Center clients who have already taken a pregnancy test at the clinic and received a positive result.

A Registered Nurse (RN) performs an ultrasound exam if you are at least six weeks pregnant. The nurse determines if you are a candidate for ultrasound. Only one ultrasound is provided per client.

You may or may not have the ultrasound exam on the same visit as your pregnancy test, but we will try to schedule it as closely as possible. Please note the center does not use ultrasound exams to determine the sex of your baby.

If you’re pregnant and have already been seeing a doctor, please consult your doctor about their available ultrasound services.