You may have already decided you are going to have an abortion, so you might be thinking “Why would I need an ultrasound?” Well, there are a few very important reasons to have an ultrasound prior to going through with the abortion procedure. We’ll discuss just five of those here.

Ultrasounds Confirm Viability

A viable pregnancy means that your baby has a heartbeat. An ultrasound can determine if a pregnancy is viable, meaning likely to carry to term. According to the Mayo Clinic, 20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage. If the ultrasound doesn’t detect a heartbeat, then you don’t need to endure the health risks of an abortion.

Ultrasounds Determine How Far Along You Are

The gestational age is how far along in your pregnancy you are. It is very important to know exactly how far along you are before having an abortion, because certain abortion procedures are not recommended for certain stages of pregnancy.

Ultrasounds Confirm the Baby is in the Uterus

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg implants somewhere other than the uterus, which could be in the Fallopian tube, inside the ovary, in the abdominal cavity or on the cervix. While you can get a positive pregnancy test result, only an ultrasound can determine an ectopic pregnancy, which is not a viable (likely to carry to term) pregnancy.

If you have the abortion procedure with an ectopic pregnancy, the pregnancy will continue, and the baby will continue to grow and pose serious health risks to the mother.

Ultrasounds are Required by Law in Florida

In 2011, the state of Florida passed a law which requires that a woman must have an ultrasound prior to having an abortion.

Be Fully Informed with an Ultrasound

Having an ultrasound will help you make a fully-informed choice. At WPC, we can provide you with a limited ultrasound, at no cost to you. We are here to provide a safe, non-judgmental place for you to gather all the information you need. Remember, being informed empowers you to make the best decision for your pregnancy.

Note: The information presented on this website is intended for general education purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional and/or medical advice