“Do I need an ultrasound before having an abortion?”
For women living in Florida, the answer to this question is yes. There are both legal and health safety reasons that a pre-abortion ultrasound is essential. Whether you are taking the abortion pill or having a surgical abortion, a pregnancy scan is an important first step.
Do I need an ultrasound before having an abortion?
In the state of Florida, every woman must have an ultrasound before undergoing an abortion. This law is in place for two reasons. First, it shows how far along you are. The ultrasound will also check for signs that your health or pregnancy is at risk.
No matter what choice you want to make for your pregnancy, getting an ultrasound is a crucial part of the decision-making process. We explain all of the information you will receive from your scan, and why it matters, below.
Ectopic pregnancy
In 1-2% of pregnancies, the fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus. This is a condition called ectopic pregnancy and it is on the rise in recent decades. Most often, it will implant in the Fallopian tube, called a tubal pregnancy. This is a serious, potentially life-threatening complication that requires careful monitoring and treatment.
The uterus is the only organ that is designed to stretch and make room for the growing pregnancy. As an ectopic pregnancy grows, it can rupture the tissue around it. This may cause severe internal bleeding and/or a septic infection. Additionally, the abortion pill can’t remove an ectopic pregnancy. It will end the pregnancy, but the tissue may remain trapped in your body. Without treatment, you may develop an infection.
Gestional age
The age of your pregnancy (gestational age) is measured from the first day of your last period. Unfortunately, this method isn’t always accurate. Many women are wrong don’t have the typical 28 day cycle about the date of their last menstrual cycle and end up being farther along than they thought. If you don’t have a regular period, for instance, you may not know when you ovulated and conceived. You may also mistake early pregnancy bleeding for your period.
Gestational age is important because it determines which abortion procedure you will need. Abortions become more complicated and may cause more severe side effects as your pregnancy progresses. Taking the abortion pill when you are too far along may lead to more severe complications, including incomplete abortion.
Medical professionals can also use your gestational age to monitor your pregnancy’s health. If the pregnancy isn’t growing or progressing as expected, you may need additional medical care. At Thrive Orlando, for example, our sonographer can use your gestational age to monitor the viability of your pregnancy. This information is important to know as you consider your next steps.
Elective abortion is only available during the first six weeks of pregnancy in Florida, so your gestational age will also help you understand which pregnancy options are available.
Where can I get a pre-abortion ultrasound in Florida?
Thrive Orlando offers free pregnancy ultrasounds, as well as no-cost pregnancy tests and STD testing and treatment. Our scans meet Florida’s legal requirements for pre-abortion ultrasounds, which must be performed by a doctor or someone who has received ultrasound training. Your ultrasound will be performed by one of our registered nurses who has been trained to perform pregnancy ultrasounds. She will explain the full process before and during the scan to make sure you feel safe and comfortable. She can also answer any questions you may have about the ultrasound, your pregnancy, and abortion procedures.
What do I do next?
As discussed, pre-abortion ultrasounds provide crucial information about your pregnancy and health. You need this information about your pregnancy’s gestational age and viability to figure out your next steps.
If you think you are pregnant, make an appointment to take a free medical-grade pregnancy test at our clinic. We can help you understand all your options and offer the resources you need to thrive.