After a positive pregnancy test, many women are unsure what to do next.
An ultrasound is one of the most valuable steps you can take. A test can confirm that pregnancy hormones are present, but an ultrasound gives a trained professional a direct view of the pregnancy itself. What that view shows affects both your health and the choices available to you.
Keep reading to learn more. Cypress Valley Clinic offers free ultrasounds following a positive pregnancy test. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.
What Happens During an Ultrasound
An ultrasound uses sound waves to create an image of the uterus and nearby tissue. Early in pregnancy, a transvaginal ultrasound is often used, in which a small device is placed in the vagina to produce a clearer image. Later in pregnancy, an abdominal ultrasound is typically used, with a handheld device moved across the belly.
Pregnancy ultrasounds are safe and have no known harmful side effects.
Confirming Your Pregnancy Is Developing
The first thing an ultrasound will reveal is whether your pregnancy is viable by checking for a heartbeat and signs of development.
About 10 to 20 percent of known pregnancies end in miscarriage, most often in the first trimester, which is about the first 13 weeks. A home test can even read positive after a very early pregnancy loss.
If a miscarriage has occurred, this information helps you seek follow-up care from a medical provider, since retained tissue can lead to infection or heavy bleeding.
Ruling Out an Ectopic Pregnancy
An ultrasound will also reveal that your pregnancy is growing in the proper location. In a healthy pregnancy, the fertilized egg implants in the uterine lining. However, an ectopic pregnancy implants elsewhere, most often in a fallopian tube.
An ectopic pregnancy cannot develop normally and can rupture the fallopian tube, causing severe internal bleeding, which is a medical emergency.
At first, an ectopic pregnancy may seem like a typical early pregnancy, which is why confirming the location matters so much. If the pregnancy isn’t seen in the uterus, further medical evaluation is needed right away to protect your health.
Determining How Far Along You Are
Many women estimate gestational age from the first day of their last menstrual period. Irregular cycles or uncertain dates can make that estimate inaccurate.
An ultrasound directly measures the pregnancy, and a first-trimester ultrasound is the most accurate way to establish or confirm gestational age. Accurate dating gives you and your healthcare provider a reliable foundation for your care.
Schedule Your Free Ultrasound at Cypress Valley Clinic
Cypress Valley Clinic provides compassionate, confidential support, including free pregnancy testing, limited ultrasounds, and information about all your options.
Our sonographer and caring team will review your results with you and answer your questions so you can make an informed decision about your next steps.
Reach out today to request a free, confidential appointment, or call 830-955-8252.
