An unexpected pregnancy can bring a lot of questions. Below are answers to the ones heard most often at Life Choices Community Pregnancy Clinic, from what an ultrasound shows to how to know whether you’re pregnant.
What happens at an ultrasound?
An ultrasound is a quick, painless scan that uses sound waves, not radiation, to show your pregnancy on a screen. At Life Choices, it’s free. For most scans, a little gel goes on your lower belly and a small handheld device glides over it. If your pregnancy is very early, a transvaginal scan may give a clearer picture.
Why should I have an ultrasound before deciding?
A positive test tells you that you’re pregnant, but not much else. A limited ultrasound fills in three details that shape every option in front of you:
- Is the pregnancy developing? A visible heartbeat and normal growth confirm viability. The Mayo Clinic estimates that 10 to 20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage, sometimes without obvious symptoms.
- How far along am I? Your number of weeks determines which options are medically available.
- Where is the pregnancy? A pregnancy should grow inside the uterus. One that implants elsewhere, usually in a fallopian tube, is called ectopic and is a medical emergency.
How do I get a free ultrasound?
If you’ve had a positive pregnancy test, you may qualify for a free, confidential limited ultrasound at the Carson City or Yerington clinic, or on the Life Choices mobile medical unit. Start with a free pregnancy test: call (775) 885-1700 or text (775) 241-8161 to book.
How can I tell if I’m pregnant?
Some women notice changes right away; others feel nothing different at all. Often the first clue is simply a late period.
If you’re worried you might be pregnant, you don’t have to sort it out alone. The first step is finding out for sure. Life Choices offers free, confidential testing, and a caring advocate will talk through your results with you, with no pressure.
What are the early signs of pregnancy?
Early pregnancy feels different for everyone, and many of these signs can also come from stress, illness or your normal cycle. Common ones include:
- A late or missed period
- Light spotting or mild cramping
- Sore or swollen breasts
- Nausea, with or without vomiting
- Feeling unusually tired
- Needing to urinate more often
- Bloating or constipation
- Mood changes
- New food aversions
- A stuffy nose
If you notice any of these after unprotected sex, a pregnancy test is a good next step.
When should I take a pregnancy test?
Pregnancy tests look for hCG, a hormone your body starts making once a pregnancy implants. Levels rise over the first few weeks, so waiting until at least a week after your missed period gives the most reliable result.
Store-bought tests are usually accurate, but testing too early or misreading the instructions can lead to a wrong answer. A free test at Life Choices, with someone to walk you through the result, can confirm it. If it’s positive, an ultrasound is the natural next step.
How can Life Choices help?
Every service at Life Choices is free and confidential: pregnancy testing, limited ultrasounds after a positive test, and caring advocates who will listen and answer your questions. Reach out today to set up a visit.
Do I need an ultrasound before an abortion?
Yes. Before taking abortion pills or having an abortion procedure, an ultrasound answers three questions that matter for your safety.
Which abortion methods fit how far along I am?
The FDA has approved the abortion pill (mifepristone) for use up to 10 weeks of pregnancy. Past that point it works less reliably, and the chance of complications, including needing emergency surgery, goes up.
Counting weeks from your last period isn’t always accurate, especially if your cycle is irregular. An ultrasound gives a reliable date, so you know which options are safe for you.
Is my pregnancy in the right place?
An abortion only ends a pregnancy growing inside the uterus. It does not treat an ectopic pregnancy, which can become life-threatening. An ultrasound confirms where the pregnancy is.
Is my pregnancy still developing?
Some pregnancies stop growing on their own; the Mayo Clinic estimates this happens in 10 to 20% of known pregnancies (source). If an ultrasound shows the pregnancy isn’t developing, you may not need an abortion at all, which could spare you the cost and stress of a procedure.
What’s my next step?
Schedule a free visit at Life Choices Community Pregnancy Clinic. The clinic offers pregnancy testing, limited ultrasounds and time with a caring advocate who can answer your questions about all of your options, including abortion. Call (775) 885-1700 or text (775) 241-8161.