--- title: Why Does an Ultrasound Matter if I’m Considering Abortion? description: Thinking about abortion? Learn how an ultrasound can confirm your pregnancy details, protect your health, and guide your next steps. image: https://abortionpillinfotx.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/June-20-Why-Does-an-Ultrasound-Matter-if-Im-Considering-Abortion-3.png --- [Skip to Content](https://abortionpillinfotx.com/abortion-pill-info/why-does-an-ultrasound-matter-if-im-considering-abortion#main-content) [![tapi-logo](https://abortionpillinfotx.com/hubfs/Website/tapi-logo.png)](https://abortionpillinfotx.com) Research-backed facts on the abortion pill [Text With A Nurse](https://abortionpillinfotx.com/nurse-texting) - [FAQs](https://abortionpillinfotx.com/abortion-pill-texas-faqs) - [Abortion Pill Topics](https://abortionpillinfotx.com/abortion-pill-info) - [Find Local Care](https://abortionpillinfotx.com/find-care) - [Pregnant & Need Help?](https://abortionpillinfotx.com/pregnant-and-need-help) - [Recommended Resources](https://abortionpillinfotx.com/recommended-resources) Search [FAQs](https://abortionpillinfotx.com/abortion-pill-texas-faqs) [Abortion Pill Topics](https://abortionpillinfotx.com/abortion-pill-info) [Find Local Care](https://abortionpillinfotx.com/find-care) [Pregnant & Need Help?](https://abortionpillinfotx.com/pregnant-and-need-help) [Recommended Resources](https://abortionpillinfotx.com/recommended-resources) Search [Abortion Pill Safety](https://abortionpillinfotx.com/abortion-pill-info/tag/abortion-pill-safety) # Why Does an Ultrasound Matter if I’m Considering Abortion? ![Why Does an Ultrasound Matter if I’m Considering Abortion?](https://abortionpillinfotx.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/June-20-Why-Does-an-Ultrasound-Matter-if-Im-Considering-Abortion-3.png) Even if you are thinking about abortion, an ultrasound is essential to provide you with key details about your pregnancy that will reveal which options are available to you. We’ll share the main reasons you should receive an ultrasound before deciding on abortion. ## What Can An Ultrasound Tell Me? An [ultrasound](https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/ultrasound/about/pac-20395177) is a diagnostic tool that uses sound waves to make pictures of the body.  Ultrasound technology uses a small transducer (handheld device) that emits sound waves into the body and then collects the sound waves that bounce back, creating images displayed on a screen. The images can help guide diagnosis and treatment for pregnancy and many diseases and conditions. ### The Location of Your Pregnancy An ultrasound can verify whether your pregnancy is correctly located in the uterus. In certain situations, a pregnancy may be ectopic, which means the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, most commonly in a fallopian tube. Even if you have an [ectopic pregnancy](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/symptoms-causes/syc-20372088), a pregnancy test will still come back positive, and you might experience typical pregnancy symptoms. However, this condition is extremely dangerous and cannot result in a live birth. Ectopic pregnancies require [immediate treatment](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9687-ectopic-pregnancy#:~:text=Ectopic%20pregnancies%20can%20become%20life%2Dthreatening%2C%20especially%20if%20your%20fallopian%20tube%20breaks%20(ruptures).%20This%20is%20a%20ruptured%20ectopic%20pregnancy%2C%20and%20it%20can%20cause%20severe%20bleeding%2C%20infection%20and%20sometimes%2C%20death.%20This%20is%20a%20medical%20emergency.%20Healthcare%20providers%20must%20treat%20ectopic%20pregnancies%20quickly.) by a medical professional. If an ultrasound detects an ectopic pregnancy, prompt treatment is essential to prevent life-threatening complications. ### How Far Along You Are (Gestational Age) Discovering your gestational age, or how far along you are, is critical to determining what abortion procedures you’re eligible for. For example, the abortion pill is only [FDA-approved](https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/information-about-mifepristone-medical-termination-pregnancy-through-ten-weeks-gestation) through ten weeks gestation. After that, you would have to consider an alternative procedure, such as a surgical abortion, for your safety. Period tracking apps and similar tools can give you an idea but lack precision. An ultrasound can accurately date your pregnancy. ### If Your Pregnancy Is Progressing Did you know that an estimated [26%](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532992/) of all pregnancies end in miscarriage? An abortion would not be the right treatment for a situation in which you have miscarried. An ultrasound is critical in determining if your pregnancy is progressing and checking for a miscarriage.  ## Protect Your Health As we’ve outlined, an ultrasound is a critical step in protecting your health as you consider making an abortion decision. Find a Pregnancy Care Provider [here](https://abortionpillinfotx.com/find-care), where you receive a free ultrasound and other services to help you feel supported during your pregnancy. > If you feel your health is in danger due to your pregnancy, Texas Bill [SB 31](https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/SB00031F.htm#:~:text=c%2D1\)%C2%A0%C2%A0,act%3A) protects your rights if you are experiencing a life-threatening condition. 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