An early obstetric (OB) ultrasound can give women and their healthcare providers useful information about their pregnancy. Do I have a viable pregnancy? How far along am I really? Is my pregnancy in the correct location? These are three important questions in early pregnancy that only ultrasound can accurately answer.
Is My Pregnancy Viable?
Viability is the ability to live, grow, develop. A viable pregnancy refers to a pregnancy that is thriving and progressing. As many as one in every four pregnancies ends in miscarriage[1], most often during the first trimester. Although you may have a positive pregnancy test, your pregnancy could naturally end on its own. Before evaluating your pregnancy options, it is important to first confirm that you do indeed have a viable pregnancy. An ultrasound can detect a fetal heartbeat, which would confirm a viable pregnancy.
How far along am I?
Gestational age is the common term used during pregnancy to determine how far along the pregnancy is. It is measured in weeks, from the first day of the last menstrual cycle to the current date. Many women are uncertain of these dates. Ultrasound is the only accurate way to truly measure gestational age. Having this information is important for several reasons. It tells you and your healthcare provider how far along you are. The gestational age gives you an estimated due date. Lastly, it influences the pregnancy options available for you. How far along the pregnancy is determines which abortion procedures can be used. Different abortion procedures come with different risks, side effects, and costs. BFR Medical can provide you with a no-cost pregnancy test/ultrasound to determine how far along you are, or a pre-abortion assessment.
Is my pregnancy in the correct location?
In rare circumstances (1.2%-2.4%), a pregnancy can be an ectopic pregnancy[2]. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized ovum (egg) implants outside of the uterus. This is a potentially life-threatening condition which requires immediate medical attention. An ultrasound is the safest and easiest way to determine the location of the pregnancy and avoid the potential risks of an undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy.
There are many places to get an ultrasound with a positive pregnancy test. OB-GYN offices, hospitals, imaging facilities and clinics all may provide ultrasound services. However, most healthcare providers will not refer for an OB ultrasound until you are at least 8 weeks gestational age. And abortion clinics may not provide an ultrasound at all, or they may only perform one immediately prior to the procedure once the patient is committed to an abortion.
If you are pregnant and either considering an abortion or want to confirm the viability of your pregnancy, BFR Medical can help. We can provide you with a no-cost pregnancy verification ultrasound, and can answer all your pregnancy options questions, without judgment. We can provide you with the resources, information, and support for every stage of your pregnancy. Call us at (770) 334-3856 or Text Us at (678) 861-6780.
[1]National Institutes of Health (2019). Miscarriage. Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001488.htm; Wilcox AJ, Weinberg CR, O’Connor JF, Baird DD, Schlatterer JP, Canfield RD (1988). Incidence of early loss of pregnancy. N Engl J Med; 319:89-94.
[2]American Family Physician (May 2020) Ectopic Pregnancy: Diagnosis and Management. Retrieved from https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/0515/p599.html ERIN HENDRIKS, MD, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan RACHEL ROSENBERG, MD, and LINDA PRINE, MD, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York