A positive pregnancy test detects hCG, but the result cannot provide details about the pregnancy itself. An ultrasound can offer additional information that may be relevant to your health and next steps.
Schedule a no-cost, confidential appointment at Avenues Clinic in Frankfort.
What an Ultrasound Actually Shows
An ultrasound uses sound waves to produce images from inside the uterus. During the scan, three key details are evaluated: the pregnancy’s estimated gestational age, the pregnancy’s location, and signs whether the pregnancy is continuing to develop. Together, these findings provide a more complete picture than pregnancy testing alone.
Estimate Gestational Age
Gestational age is initially calculated from the first day of your last menstrual period. That estimate may be less reliable if your cycles are irregular or you are uncertain when your last period began.
Measurements taken during an ultrasound can provide another estimate of how far along the pregnancy is. The abortion pill is FDA-approved only through 10 weeks gestation. Knowing your gestational age can help you understand your options.
Look for Signs of a Continuing Pregnancy
According to the Mayo Clinic, 10% to 20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage. The hormone hCG can remain elevated for days or weeks after, so a positive test alone doesn’t confirm the pregnancy is ongoing.
Identify the Pregnancy’s Location
A pregnancy typically develops inside the uterus. An ectopic pregnancy develops elsewhere, and more than 90% occur in a fallopian tube.
An ultrasound can determine whether a pregnancy is visible in the uterus. If its location cannot be confirmed, further medical evaluation may be needed. An ectopic pregnancy requires separate treatment and cannot be treated with the abortion pill or a procedure intended for a pregnancy inside the uterus. Without treatment, a ruptured ectopic pregnancy can cause life-threatening internal bleeding.
Your Next Step
Avenues Clinic provides free lab-grade pregnancy testing and free limited ultrasound scans in Frankfort. Call (502) 695-0500, text (502) 695-0500, or schedule your no-cost appointment today. No insurance is required.
Avenues Clinic does not provide or refer for abortion services. All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.