The moment you start wondering whether you might be pregnant, your mind can fill with questions. Is everything okay? Am I really pregnant?
At Life Choices Community Pregnancy Clinic, we understand how important clear answers are during this time. That’s why we offer free, confidential pregnancy testing and limited ultrasounds to give you reliable information and compassionate support from the very beginning.
Schedule your free appointment today.
Why Early Ultrasound Matters
An early ultrasound is a crucial first step in understanding what’s happening inside your body. Regardless of the option you’re considering, this scan safeguards your health.
An ultrasound will do three essential things:
- Confirm Location: It confirms the pregnancy is inside the uterus, helping rule out an ectopic pregnancy, which can be dangerous and life-threatening if not caught early.
- Determine Viability: It confirms the presence of a heartbeat, checking that the pregnancy is continuing, and you haven’t miscarried.
- Identifies Gestational age: It measures the pregnancy to determine how far along you are, known as gestational age. This data will also provide an estimated due date.
Based on what an early ultrasound tells you, you will understand your available options and whether you may require medical treatment for an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage.
These details empower you to make informed choices and protect your reproductive health.
How Early Can an Ultrasound Detect a Pregnancy?
While pregnancy tests can detect hCG shortly after a missed period, ultrasounds rely on visible development. It takes a few weeks for the pregnancy to grow from the size of a poppy seed at 4 weeks to a pea or raspberry (6 to 8 weeks).
A transvaginal ultrasound generally provides meaningful information around 6 weeks after your last menstrual period (LMP). However, some providers may prefer to wait until 7 or 8 weeks, so you can be sure to detect a heartbeat if one is present.
These timing estimates are based on the first day of your last menstrual cycle. However, some women are surprised to find out they are farther along than they realized during the ultrasound exam.
Safeguard Your Health with Ultrasound
Don’t wait to get the answers you need. Contact us today to schedule your free, confidential ultrasound appointment. Our caring team is here to offer clarity, compassion, and support every step of the way.