If you’ve recently received a positive pregnancy test, your next question may be, “What happens now?”
One of the most important next steps is an ultrasound. Whether your pregnancy was planned or unexpected, an ultrasound provides valuable medical information that a pregnancy test simply can’t.
If you’ve never had an ultrasound before, you may be wondering how it works, what it shows, or whether it will hurt. The good news is that an ultrasound is a simple procedure that can answer important questions about your pregnancy and help you make informed decisions about your health.
Read on to learn more, or contact New Beginnings of Winchester to find a safe space to ask questions and get answers.
How Does an Ultrasound Work?
An ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the inside of your body.
Unlike X-rays, ultrasounds do not use radiation. Instead, a small handheld device called a transducer sends sound waves into your body. Those sound waves bounce off your organs and developing pregnancy, and a computer converts the echoes into images that appear on a screen.
Depending on how far along you are, your ultrasound may be:
- Abdominal, where the transducer is moved gently across your abdomen.
- Transvaginal, where a specially designed transducer is used to obtain clearer images during very early pregnancy.
A trained medical professional will determine which type of ultrasound is most appropriate based on your stage of pregnancy.
What Can an Ultrasound Tell You?
A home pregnancy test can tell you that pregnancy hormones are present, but it can’t tell you what’s happening inside your body.
An ultrasound provides important medical information by determining:
- Whether the pregnancy is located inside the uterus.
- Whether the pregnancy appears to be developing.
- Approximately how far along you are.
This information is important for every pregnant woman, regardless of what pregnancy option she’s considering.
For example, an ultrasound can identify an ectopic pregnancy, which occurs when a pregnancy develops outside the uterus. An ectopic pregnancy requires immediate medical treatment and cannot be treated with abortion drugs.
An ultrasound can also determine whether you’ve experienced a miscarriage, since pregnancy hormones may remain in your body even after a pregnancy has ended.
If you’re considering abortion, knowing how far along you are is also essential because the abortion drugs are FDA-approved only through 10 weeks of gestation.
What Should I Expect During My Appointment?
If you’re feeling nervous about your first ultrasound, that’s completely normal.
The appointment is typically straightforward and usually takes only a short amount of time.
During your visit, a trained medical professional will explain the procedure, answer your questions, and perform the ultrasound. Once it’s complete, you’ll discuss the results and what they mean for your pregnancy.
This is also a great opportunity to ask questions about your pregnancy and learn more about your options. Many women leave their appointment feeling more confident because they have accurate medical information, which helps inform their next steps.
Get the Answers You Need at New Beginnings of Winchester
If you’ve recently received a positive pregnancy test, don’t stop there.
At New Beginnings of Winchester, we offer free, confidential pregnancy testing and free limited obstetrical ultrasounds for qualifying patients in a compassionate, judgment-free environment. Our caring team is here to answer your questions, explain your ultrasound results, and provide the medical information you need to understand your pregnancy and your options.
Whether you’re considering parenting, adoption, or abortion, you deserve to make your decision with accurate information.
Contact New Beginnings of Winchester today to schedule your confidential appointment. You’re not alone in this. We’re here for you.