The simple answer is: YES, it’s important to have an ultrasound before taking the abortion pill. Here’s why:
- You need to know how far along you are. The abortion pill, which is actually a combination of two pills, should only be used if you are 10 weeks along or earlier. You might think you know how far along you are, but an ultrasound is the only way to confirm gestational age of the fetus. There can be complications from abortion pills, such as incomplete abortion, especially if the drugs are taken when a woman is farther along than 10 weeks.
- You need to know you’re not miscarrying. According to research, 10 to 15 percent of women who know they’re pregnant naturally miscarry. An ultrasound will let you know if you’re experiencing miscarriage or if you do have a viable pregnancy (which means there is a heartbeat and the pregnancy is in the uterus). If you are miscarrying, you don’t have to spend time or money for an abortion.
- You need to know you’re not experiencing an ectopic pregnancy. If your pregnancy is not found in the uterus, you may be having what’s known as an ectopic pregnancy. This can be a dangerous, even deadly, situation. Our nurses have discovered ectopic pregnancies during ultrasound at our center and have been able to refer those women to the ER for proper care.
Have an ultrasound before taking the abortion pill or having a surgical procedure in order to know for sure (1) if you are pregnant; (2) how far along you are; (3) if you’re experiencing an ectopic pregnancy.
According to the Mayo Clinic, there are other situations in which taking the abortion pill is not recommended, including if you’re taking blood thinners, have certain heart diseases, or you have severe liver or lung disease, among others.
Your health and well-being matter to us. All of our services are free, so you don’t have to spend money on an ultrasound elsewhere, including an abortion clinic. Schedule your confidential, free appointment with one of our nurses by contacting our Scheduling Line: 307-215-9684.