Why an Ultrasound Should be Part of Your Pregnancy Decision
You’ve taken one, two, three home pregnancy tests and they all indicate the same thing: you’re pregnant. Being pregnant isn’t part of your plan, and now you may be wondering what to do next. No matter how accurate home pregnancy tests claim to be, they are not definitive indicators of a viable pregnancy. So, the next step is to verify a pregnancy through an ultrasound. We understand that an ultrasound may be the last thing you want to do right now, but here are a few reasons why having an ultrasound can be an important part of your pregnancy decision…
Viability is Key
Simply put, a viable pregnancy is one that is likely to carry to term. With 10-25% of pregnancies ending in miscarriage, it’s important for you to determine the likelihood of carrying to term. In the case of a blighted ovum, for example, a fertilized egg will implant in the uterus but will not develop into an embryo. A blighted ovum usually causes a miscarriage in the first trimester. However, it will result in a positive test even though an embryo will not develop. An ultrasound will be able to show if the gestational sac is empty, revealing an unviable pregnancy. Why worry about a pregnancy decision if you are not truly pregnant?
In addition, an ultrasound can help you detect if anything is developing abnormally. A pregnancy test alone cannot tell you if your pregnancy is within the uterus. If the pregnancy is ectopic, the fertilized egg will attach outside of the uterus rather than inside the uterus. Ectopic pregnancies are not likely to carry to term, but they can become a life-threatening risk if not properly diagnosed. You will need an ultrasound to know if you are at risk for an ectopic pregnancy. From there, you can be referred to a proper specialist, if necessary. Since abortions focus on emptying the uterus, an abortion procedure won’t take care of an ectopic pregnancy. An ultrasound can help you avoid an unnecessary abortion if your pregnancy is not within the uterus.
Take the Next Step
Most importantly, having an ultrasound allows you to be fully informed before making a decision. At Thrive St. Louis, we want you to have access to all the information you need to make the best choice for your situation. If you think you are pregnant, we’ll help confirm your pregnancy with a lab grade pregnancy test, verification, and ultrasound all at no cost to you. If you’re ready to learn more about how an ultrasound can help your pregnancy decision, schedule an appointment today.
