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Why Does an Ultrasound Matter if I’m Considering Abortion?
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.
Facts About Medical Abortion You Might Not Know
A medical abortion, also known as the “abortion pill,” is the process of terminating a pregnancy with drugs.
Facing an unplanned pregnancy and seeking an abortion in Texas—where it’s illegal—can lead you to consider online sources. However, ordering abortion drugs online is risky. In fact, the FDA advises against it.
When you order the abortion pills online, you won’t see a medical provider in person in Texas. This is dangerous because you may not be a candidate for the abortion pill, and only a medical provider can make that determination based on your health history and unique situation.
Furthermore, when you order abortion drugs online, the FDA can’t verify the source, quality, and safety of the drugs. These online drugs aren’t approved by the FDA, and if you take them, you’re putting yourself at risk for potentially serious complications from taking the wrong dosage or even the wrong drug.
Is It Safer to Travel Out of State for the Abortion Pill?
Since abortion is illegal in Texas and it’s dangerous to order the abortion pill online from unregulated sources, you might be considering traveling to a state where abortion is legal to receive the abortion pill.
Before making travel plans, it’s essential to receive an ultrasound to find out three key details about your pregnancy—this will protect your health and help determine your eligibility for the abortion pill.
These key details include:
- Gestational Age of Your Pregnancy
Did you know period trackers alone aren’t enough to reveal the age of your pregnancy?
Getting an ultrasound is the only reliable way to know your pregnancy’s gestational age, which is needed before you can take the abortion drugs. If you try taking them when your pregnancy is too far along, your chance of risk increases. - Location of Your Pregnancy
Knowing the location is essential to rule out ectopic pregnancy, a life-threatening situation in which the pregnancy grows outside the uterus. If you’re experiencing this type of pregnancy, you need emergency treatment immediately—not the abortion pill. - Progression of Your Pregnancy
During an ultrasound, the nurse or sonographer will look for a heartbeat. This detail is necessary considering that roughly 26% of pregnancies end in miscarriage—and it’s possible to experience a miscarriage without immediate signs.
If you’ve had a miscarriage, you shouldn’t take the abortion pill. Instead, you should seek medical care to determine whether or not further treatment is necessary to prevent infection.
Need an ultrasound in Texas? Find support here.