Do I need an Ultrasound before an Abortion?

You may be thinking, “I’ve already made up my mind to have an abortion. Why would I need an ultrasound first?” In fact, an ultrasound is a very important step before going through with an abortion procedure.

One out of every three known pregnancies ends in miscarriage. An ultrasound can determine if a pregnancy is viable, meaning likely to carry to term.

A positive pregnancy test can indicate that you are pregnant, but it does not determine if your pregnancy is in utero, that is, in the uterus. Ectopic pregnancies (sometimes called “tubal pregnancies”) are when the pregnancy implants and grows in the fallopian tubes rather than in the uterus. With an ectopic pregnancy, you can get a positive pregnancy test result, but it can’t be detected as ectopic without an ultrasound. Ectopic pregnancies are not viable (likely to carry to term), and if they are not detected, they can be life threatening to the mother. You can have the abortion procedure, but if the pregnancy is not in the uterus, the abortion will not be complete – you may think that the pregnancy has been ended, but the baby continues to grow in the fallopian tubes, posing a continually increasing threat you, the mother.

There are various abortion methods, and they can be dependent on how far along your pregnancy is. An ultrasound can determine how many weeks pregnant you are.

At Collage Center, we can provide a free limited OB ultrasound to determine if your pregnancy is viable. If it isn’t, you can avoid the risks and costs – physical and emotional – that are associated with abortion. Remember that you have time to get all the facts before rushing into anything. We are here to provide a safe, non-judgmental environment for you to process through this big decision – no matter what.

There are 10 comments .

Sathish — March 10, 2017 @ 8:59 am

Thanks,now we have settled mind after reading your blog.

Reply »

CollageCenter — March 10, 2017 @ 11:49 am

We’re glad we were able to help.

Angela — April 24, 2017 @ 9:20 am

When I became pregnant last October, I had an extreme case of nausea and vomiting starting at the third week. My health was already compromised from a horrible reaction to a medication the previous June. I sought an abortion because I could not stop vomiting and was losing a massive amount of weight. They could not see anything on the ultrasound and made me wait 2 weeks before trying again. I ended up hospitalized because I was refused an abortion when one was sought, and the hospital found a gestational sac at 6 weeks that was in my uterus, but was determined non-viable. They scheduled a D and C at the hospital for the next day, but my doctor called it off the next morning because there was a “small chance” it still may have been viable. For that reason, they said they could not do the procedure at the hospital and that I would have to seek an abortion again at a clinic. The day the hospital released my records to me so that I could schedule an abortion at a clinic, I miscarried at 7 weeks, and bled until the end of February this year. I now have stomach ulcers from the vomiting that ensued over that time period and have to take acid reducing medication. I also lost 10% of my body weight from lack of nutrition.

My point is that ultrasound can be useful before an abortion, but it can also massively hinder and hurt a woman who is in a vulnerable health position. Even states that do not require ultrasound before abortion often do it anyway, but I am sure I’m not the only person who has been hurt by a practice that otherwise is often seen as beneficial, and doctors need to more carefully weigh their choices in these scenarios.

CollageCenter — May 2, 2017 @ 3:37 pm

Wow, thank you for sharing your story with us. We’re so sorry to hear about some of the difficulties you’ve had to walk through and certainly understand how your circumstances have led you to feel so strongly about this. Our sincere hope is that your body is able to heal and you can move forward.

Thanks again for your transparency Angela.
Collage Medical Team

Carol — August 11, 2017 @ 4:36 am

I am two week pregnant. It’s an unplanned pregnancy. We are not ready for this baby. I was looking for some abortion information or some clinic which give me good suggestion in this time , one of my friends has suggested me about “A Woman’s Haven”, the team it seems help us in making an informed decision. We are planning to meet with them.

CollageCenter — August 11, 2017 @ 5:12 pm

Hi Carol,

It sounds like you’re in a really difficult situation. I’m so glad you have friends who are helping you! I haven’t heard of A Woman’s Haven but I do know that you absolutely deserve to have people around you who can help you make an informed decision! Good job in slowing down and thinking things through! When you meet with the team at a Woman’s Haven, be sure to ask lots of questions. Maybe even consider writing some down before you go.

I know you mentioned that you are two weeks pregnant. If you haven’t already, it would be really good for you to have a lab quality urine test to verify your pregnancy. Another important step for you to consider would be to have an ultrasound to actually confirm the pregnancy. This helps to determine if the pregnancy is viable, meaning, that the pregnancy is located in the uterus and there is a heartbeat. In addition, it would tell you for sure how far a long you are. We have lots of patients who think one gestation age and then learn something different from the ultrasound. Knowing exactly how far along you are is important to determine which type of abortion procedure would be required. You deserve to know all of this before you make your decision.

I just want to encourage you to take a deep breath… ok. now, just remember that you don’t have to have everything figured out right now. You just have to know the next right step. And it sounds like you’ve got that one covered so you’re doing good!! Don’t lose hope! I believe in you!!

Gaye
A Collage Team Member

Lucy — May 7, 2018 @ 10:11 am

I think im about 14/15 weeks pregnant, I only recently done a test, I haven’t had any symptoms. Im young and don’t think its fair if I have my baby when im not physically and mentally ready.
Will I need a scan be to sure how far gone I am before if I do go through with an abortion?

CollageCenter — May 8, 2018 @ 4:06 pm

Great question Lucy.

If you’ve taken a positive pregnancy test at home that’s an indication that you may be pregnant, but only an ultrasound can confirm if the pregnancy is viable, meaning that it’s located in the uterus and there’s a heartbeat. In addition, it would tell you how far along you are which is important to determine which type of abortion procedure would be required. Here at Collage we offer lab quality urine tests and limited OB ultrasounds.

It sounds like you’re facing a situation that you don’t necessarily want to be in. That’s always tough. We never want anyone to walk through a hard situation like this alone. People often times find that it helps to talk through their pregnancy options, get answers to questions and address any concerns with someone that can be a safe person to them.

If we can be of any help to you as you’re walking through this, feel free to call us at either our Grand Island or Kearney location.

We’re so glad you reached out to us Lucy. You’re not alone in this.

Collage Team Member

Lindsay Gelman — December 2, 2018 @ 9:12 pm

Dear College Center,
I was wondering if you knew a site I could visit or perhaps send me more information on Ectopic Pregnancy and how an ultrasound confirms it. Everywhere I’ve read, it seems it is more that blood work confirms the Ectopic Pregnancy but I could be wrong!
-Thanks
Lindsay

CollageCenter — December 3, 2018 @ 9:08 am

Hi Lindsay,
Glad you reached out to us. I hope we can help give you more direction. Confirmation of an ectopic pregnancy may take a combination of different tests/exams. In case you’re interested, here’s a link to a blog we wrote on ectopic pregnancies. https://collagecenter.com/how-dangerous-is-an-ectopic-pregnancy/
A Collage Medical Team Member

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