why do i need an ultrasound before i make a decision?

Ultrasound scans are not often discussed surrounding the topic of abortion, but it’s important to understand this is one of the most vital steps to ensuring your health and safety as you make a choice for your pregnancy.

An ultrasound will determine if you are pregnant with a viable pregnancy.
A viable pregnancy means that there is a heartbeat. A pregnancy test is not conclusive and is insufficient to make a decision about your situation. Pregnancy tests respond to a hormone, HCG, released in your body when pregnant. HCG levels may remain high in your body, meaning for a period of time you will still test positive, but you may not have a viable pregnancy. According to the Mayo Clinic, 20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage. If your pregnancy is not viable, you don’t need an abortion. Ultrasound, not urine or blood tests, is the fastest way to determine if you have a viable pregnancy.

An ultrasound will help confirm that your pregnancy is located in the uterus.
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg attaches itself in a place other than inside the uterus. Most cases occur in the fallopian tube and are thus sometimes called tubal pregnancies. The fallopian tubes are not designed to hold a growing embryo; thus, the fertilized egg in a tubal pregnancy cannot develop properly and must be treated. An ectopic pregnancy happens in 1 out of 50 pregnancies.  An ultrasound can determine if you have an ectopic pregnancy. A ​growing ectopic pregnancy can be dangerous and it is advised to seek medical attention for further care. It is crucial to understand that the abortion pill is not a safe or effective method for terminating an ectopic pregnancy. In fact, using the abortion pill in such cases can lead to dangerous complications and further endanger one’s health.

An ultrasound will reveal how far along you are in your pregnancy.
You might think you know how far along you are, but an ultrasound is the only way to confirm gestational age of the pregnancy. According to the FDA, the abortion pill, which is actually a combination of two pills, should only be taken in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. There can be complications from abortion pills, such as incomplete abortion, especially if the drugs are taken when a woman is farther along than 10 weeks.