Are You Considering Abortion?
You have options for your unexpected pregnancy, and one of them is abortion. Before you move forward, you should have a pre-abortion screening.
Get STI Testing First
As part of our pre-abortion screening process, a medical team member conducts STI (sexually transmitted infections) testing. Many STIs have few symptoms at first. Most people avoid testing because they don’t have immediate symptoms.
Left untreated, an STI can lead to serious health complications later on. You have a much higher chance of infecting other reproductive organs if you choose to get an abortion with an untreated STI.
What is An Ultrasound?
An ultrasound creates images from sound waves. At Options Care Center, we offer both transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasounds.
With a transabdominal ultrasound, the sonographer rubs a wand-like instrument called a transducer through gel applied to your abdomen. The transducer picks up the echoes of sound waves and helps the sonographer see inside your uterus to learn about your pregnancy.
For a transvaginal ultrasound, the transducer is inserted inside your vagina. This method provides a more detailed image of your uterus.
The nurse will walk you through the process and explain the findings during the ultrasound.
Why do I need An Ultrasound?
There are three critical reasons you need to have an ultrasound.
1. The Location of Your Pregnancy
Research suggests in at least 1 out of every 50 pregnancies, the embryo implants somewhere other than the uterus. Most commonly, it implants in a fallopian tube. This type of pregnancy is a tubal or ectopic pregnancy and is life-threatening if not treated.
An ultrasound before an abortion would identify that the pregnancy is not in the uterus, and we would then provide an immediate referral to a physician for correct treatment.
2. How Far Along You Are In Pregnancy
The FDA has approved the use of the abortion pill up to 70 days from the first day of your last menstrual period. They recommend you not use these drugs if you are beyond this date.
You may have an estimate of this from your last period, or you may not, but it’s essential to know for sure. A limited pregnancy ultrasound gives you the most accurate answer.
Guessing can be dangerous. It can lead to severe bleeding and an emergency procedure with increased risks.
If Your Pregnancy is Viable
Viability means your pregnancy is developing and has a detectable heartbeat. The Mayo Clinic estimates up to 20% of known pregnancies end in a natural miscarriage. The number is likely higher because many women miscarry before realizing they are pregnant.
The pregnancy hormone hCG stays in the blood and urine for a while after a miscarriage. You can receive a positive pregnancy test when you are no longer pregnant.
What Can I expect?
A licensed registered nurse or physician’s assistant with specialized training in sonography will perform your ultrasound if they determine you are eligible. After the ultrasound is complete, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your nurse and continue to plan the next steps.
Call: 703-536-2020 or schedule your no-cost pre-abortion screening today.
I’m Being Pressured to Have An Abortion. What Should I Do?
What to do about your pregnancy is your decision, even if you are a minor. No one can force you to do something you do not want, even to have an abortion. We are committed to fully educating you so you feel empowered to make your decision. We are here to connect you to the resources you need to choose.
