Finding out you are pregnant unexpectedly can raise a lot of questions. Before making any decision about your pregnancy, it is important to confirm key medical details. An ultrasound provides information that a pregnancy test alone cannot.
At Fayette PRC, our nurses provide no-cost, confidential pregnancy testing and limited ultrasound services in the event of a positive pregnancy test. These services help you understand your embryo’s development and protect your health before moving forward.
Schedule a confidential appointment today with one of our nurses.
What a Pregnancy Test Can and Can’t Tell You
A test detects hCG, which signals a positive result. However, a pregnancy cannot tell:
- Gestational age: how far along the embryo is
- Viability: whether the embryo is progressing
- Location: whether the embryo is in the uterus or elsewhere
An ultrasound provides this essential information, giving you a clearer picture of your pregnancy and helping protect your health. Keep reading to learn why each part of an ultrasound matters and how it can guide your next steps.
Confirming Gestational Age
One of the first things an ultrasound can determine is your embryo’s gestational age.
This is important because a medical abortion is FDA-approved only through 10 weeks gestation. If you are farther along than you thought, the risks and likelihood of complications can increase, and emergency follow-up care may be more likely.
An ultrasound helps you avoid making a decision based on an estimate, especially if you have irregular cycles or aren’t sure when your last period began.
Checking for Signs the Embryo Is Viable
An ultrasound can look for signs that the embryo is developing, including cardiac activity, which shows whether the pregnancy is progressing with a heartbeat. This matters because early miscarriage is relatively common. About 1 in 4 known pregnancies end in a miscarriage without obvious symptoms.
If an embryo is not developing, your next steps may differ medically.
Confirming the Location of the Embryo
One of the most important reasons to have an ultrasound before deciding on a pregnancy is to confirm the location of the pregnancy.
Most embryos implant in the uterus. However, in some pregnancies, implantation happens outside the uterus, often in a fallopian tube. This is called an ectopic pregnancy, which cannot be treated with abortion drugs. An ectopic pregnancy is serious and requires immediate medical care.
Without an ultrasound, you may not know you’re experiencing an ectopic pregnancy until symptoms become severe.
Schedule a Confidential Appointment at Fayette PRC
Fayette PRC provides no-cost, confidential pregnancy testing and limited ultrasound services at its main Fayetteville location and on its Mobile Medical Unit, which serves Griffin (Thursdays) and Jonesboro (Wednesdays). Appointments are encouraged.
Call 770-719-2288 or schedule a confidential appointment online with one of our nurses and learn more about your options.