Reasons to Have an Early Ultrasound

Ultrasound technology has become an invaluable tool in prenatal care, providing crucial information about the health and development of the pregnancy. An early ultrasound, typically performed in the first trimester, offers several benefits when considering your options. Here are some reasons why an early ultrasound may be recommended:

Confirmation of Pregnancy

An early ultrasound can confirm a pregnancy by visualizing the gestational sac. This is particularly useful if home pregnancy tests have provided ambiguous results or if there is a history of irregular menstrual cycles.

Determining Gestational Age

Accurate dating of the pregnancy is essential when you are considering your options. An early ultrasound provides precise measurements that help determine the gestational age of the fetus.

Assessing if Pregnancy is Developing

An early ultrasound helps assess whether your pregnancy is developing by checking for a fetal heartbeat and evaluating the development of the embryo. If you’re considering abortion as your option and the pregnancy is not progressing, there is no reason to have an abortion.

An early ultrasound can also help you detect if the pregnancy is in the uterus. If a pregnancy implants outside of the uterus, it is an ectopic pregnancy and requires medical attention. An ectopic pregnancy is not a pregnancy that can be carried to term or removed through an abortion.

Identifying Multiple Pregnancies

If twins or higher-order multiples are suspected, an early ultrasound can confirm the presence of more than one fetus. This information helps in making a decision about your pregnancy, as multiple pregnancies can require specialized attention due to increased risks in parenting or abortion.

Should I have an Ultrasound at OWCC for Reassurance?

For many expectant parents, the first glimpse of their developing baby can be an emotional and reassuring experience. Seeing the heartbeat and movement can strengthen the emotional connection to the pregnancy and provide peace of mind.

It can also cause more anxiety and fear. Having an early ultrasound does not ensure that you will not miscarry or that everything is “okay” with the pregnancy. And there are times when the pregnancy is not as far along, meaning you may not see what you hope to see on the ultrasound, causing you more worry than reassurance. For this reason, our licensed medical staff encourages anyone who plans on parenting to wait until they can have an ultrasound with their OB. Ultrasounds at OWCC are limited in scope and are for pregnancy confirmation.

Are you looking to confirm your pregnancy? Contact OWCC for a FREE ultrasound today.