Before you decide anything about this pregnancy, there’s one piece of medical information worth having first: what’s actually happening inside your body. A pregnancy test can tell you that you’re pregnant, but not much else.
If you’re considering abortion, schedule a confidential appointment at Crossroads PRC in the tri-parish area for a pregnancy test and a limited diagnostic ultrasound at no cost.
Where the Pregnancy Is Located
A home pregnancy test only confirms that the hormone hCG is present in your body. It cannot tell you where the pregnancy is located. When a pregnancy implants outside the uterus, most often in a fallopian tube, this is called an ectopic pregnancy.
An ectopic pregnancy cannot be treated with an abortion procedure and requires separate, immediate medical care, and can become life-threatening if undetected. Early symptoms can closely resemble those of a normal pregnancy, so an ultrasound is the only reliable way to confirm the location of the pregnancy.
How Far Along You Are
Your last menstrual period can provide a general estimate of how far along you are, but that estimate may be less reliable if your cycles are irregular. An ultrasound uses measurements from the pregnancy to provide a more accurate estimate of gestational age. Gestational age, or how far along the pregnancy is, plays a significant role when you are considering abortion. The abortion pill is FDA-approved through 10 weeks of gestation.
Whether the Pregnancy Is Still Developing
According to the Mayo Clinic, 10% to 20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage, and hCG can remain in the body for weeks after a loss. A positive test does not confirm an ongoing pregnancy. If the pregnancy has already ended, the next step is finding out whether any follow-up care is needed. An ultrasound confirms whether the pregnancy is still progressing.
Get the Facts First
If abortion is on your mind, Crossroads PRC offers no-cost pregnancy tests and limited diagnostic ultrasounds in a confidential setting with no obligation. Schedule your appointment today.
Call: 985-492-6604
Crossroads Pregnancy Resource Center does not provide or refer for abortions. All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.