If you’ve recently found out you are pregnant, you may be wondering when the right time is to get an ultrasound. Getting an ultrasound in early pregnancy can provide important medical details about your pregnancy that may affect your health.
At Hands of Hope PRC, we provide free medical-grade pregnancy testing and limited ultrasounds so you can get the information you need in a safe and confidential environment.
Schedule your free, limited ultrasound appointment today.
Understanding the Timing
Timing plays an important role in what is seen during your ultrasound.
While an ultrasound can be scheduled as soon as you receive a positive pregnancy test, a fetal heartbeat is typically detectable from around 6 weeks. Before this, you may see the gestational sac at around 5 weeks.
An ultrasound may be performed earlier if a woman is experiencing symptoms such as sharp abdominal pain or unusual bleeding to rule out any potential complications. Note: This is beyond the scope of our services, so you would need to visit the ER or see an OB/GYN for a diagnostic scan.
Why a Limited Ultrasound Is Important
A limited ultrasound provides essential information that a pregnancy test alone cannot provide, such as the location of the pregnancy, how far along you are, and if the pregnancy is progressing (viability).
Understanding the location of the pregnancy rules out the chance of an ectopic pregnancy, where the pregnancy develops outside of the uterus. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment and cannot continue normally.
Around 1 in 4 pregnancies end in natural miscarriage. An ultrasound can also determine if a miscarriage may have already occurred, since pregnancy tests can remain positive after pregnancy loss due to lingering hCG levels in the body.
What To Expect During an Ultrasound
There are two types of ultrasounds used during pregnancy, transvaginal and abdominal. Both use sound waves to create images.
A transvaginal ultrasound is often used during early pregnancy and uses a small wand-like transducer inserted into the vagina to show images of the uterus. An abdominal ultrasound is performed later in pregnancy and uses a transducer that is moved across the abdomen, with a water-based gel, to create images.
At Hands of Hope PRC, our licensed sonographer performs a limited ultrasound and can answer any questions you have about the images shown on screen.
Get Pregnancy Confirmation at Hands of Hope PRC
We are here to help you get the answers you need during early pregnancy in a safe and non-judgmental environment.
After confirming your pregnancy with an ultrasound, we will talk you through your options and share essential information. We also offer STI testing to protect your reproductive health.
Contact us to make an appointment. We’re here for you.