Why Do Ultrasounds Matter?
You may wonder why you need any more information. Your period is late, and your pregnancy test was positive. However, there is more to know.
Are you aware that one in four pregnancies ends in a natural miscarriage, or that some pregnancies form outside the uterus, causing life-threatening complications? These are two reasons why an ultrasound is necessary.
Confirm your pregnancy with a free and confidential ultrasound at Cornerstone Reproductive Health.
How Does an Ultrasound Work?
An ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create a real-time image of the inside of your body. There are two types of ultrasound: abdominal and transvaginal. We offer free, limited abdominal ultrasounds.
During an abdominal ultrasound, our technician applies a gel to the woman’s stomach and then rubs a wand-like instrument called a transducer against the gel. The transducer detects the echoes of sound waves within her body.
The sound waves create an image on a monitor.
What Does an Ultrasound Reveal?
An ultrasound answers three critical questions:
- What is the location of the pregnancy?
Although rare, sometimes a pregnancy implants somewhere other than the uterus. This is known as an ectopic pregnancy. A pregnancy developing outside the uterus could cause serious, life-threatening health issues. Only an ultrasound can determine the location of a pregnancy. - Is the pregnancy developing, or has a miscarriage occurred?
Experts estimate that as many as 26% of all pregnancies end in a miscarriage. Most occur before 12 weeks. It is entirely possible to get a positive pregnancy test even after a miscarriage because it takes a woman’s body time to return to pre-pregnancy hormone levels. An ultrasound can detect a fetal heartbeat to determine if the pregnancy is developing or has ended through a miscarriage. - What is the gestational age?
The gestational age refers to the number of weeks and days of pregnancy. Many women are surprised to find they’ve been pregnant longer than they initially suspected. If they are considering abortion, knowing the gestational age determines the type of procedure. An ultrasound takes measurements to determine how far along the pregnancy is.
Get the facts about your pregnancy and protect your health. Schedule free and confidential pregnancy testing at Cornerstone Reproductive Health.
If your test is positive, we’ll determine if you qualify for a free, limited ultrasound scan. Contact us today.
