You’ve likely heard of an ultrasound and have a general understanding of what they’re for. You’ve probably even seen a few of them in recent pregnancy announcements as you scroll through your social media. However, if you recently found out you’re expecting, you might have a few questions you need answered.
Here’s our guide to the ins and outs of ultrasounds — how they work and why you should get one.
How do ultrasounds work?
Ultrasounds, or sonograms, are imaging scans sometimes used to diagnose a medical condition, guide a surgeon, or most commonly, to create images of a pregnancy inside of the womb. Unlike other imaging scans, ultrasounds do not use radiation. Instead, they use high-frequency sound waves. These sound waves are produced by a small ultrasound probe and result in echoing that produces the ultrasound image.
Medical professionals use ultrasounds in pregnancy to analyze the health, viability, and development of the pregnancy.
Do I need to get an ultrasound?
For some women, ultrasounds are an exciting and sometimes emotional part of the pregnancy process. However, if you’re deciding whether or not to keep your pregnancy, you might wonder if getting an ultrasound is necessary.
Regardless of what you choose to do, here are some reasons why it’s still key to schedule an appointment for an ultrasound.
Ultrasounds will determine°
- if your pregnancy is viable (in the right location and has a heartbeat).
- how far along you are in your pregnancy.
- if there are multiples (twins, triplets, and so on).
When should I get an ultrasound?
An ultrasound is not provided until there is a medical indication of a positive pregnancy test. Even if you’ve taken an at-home test, you should still schedule an appointment at a local pregnancy clinic for a free clinical pregnancy test.
If the clinically-performed pregnancy test is positive, you’ll then be offered a free and confidential ultrasound to confirm your pregnancy. Before you get an ultrasound or make any other decisions for your pregnancy, this is a vital first step.
What happens after the ultrasound scan?
After an ultrasound, you’ll be provided with information on all of the options and resources available to you. Here at Open Arms, we provide women with all of the resources they need to make an informed decision, including abortion counseling, prenatal care referrals, parenting resources, and information on adoption.
Schedule a Free Ultrasound
If you’re experiencing an unintended pregnancy and are considering your options, know that it’s okay to take time to learn more about your pregnancy and the resources available to you during this time so you can make a fully informed decision.
Open Arms is here to help.
Schedule an appointment with us today.