A Positive Test Tells You You’re Pregnant. An Ultrasound Can Tell You More.
A positive pregnancy test is an important first step, but it can’t tell you how far along you are, where the pregnancy is located, or whether heartbeat activity can be detected.
An ultrasound can provide more information about what is happening in your pregnancy. At The Cottage Women’s Care, ultrasounds are available at no cost to qualifying clients after a positive pregnancy test.
What Can an Ultrasound Tell You?
An ultrasound provides three key pieces of information about your pregnancy.
How Far Along Am I?
Pregnancy is measured from the first day of your last menstrual period, but dates are not always easy to remember, and menstrual cycles can vary.
An ultrasound can measure your gestational age, or how far along the pregnancy is. This information can also help estimate your expected due date.
Where Is the Pregnancy Located?
Most pregnancies develop inside the uterus, but an ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants somewhere outside the uterus, most commonly in a fallopian tube.
An ectopic pregnancy can become life-threatening and requires medical treatment. An ultrasound can determine whether the pregnancy is located inside the uterus. If there is a concern about an ectopic pregnancy or another condition requiring further evaluation, you will need follow-up care from a healthcare provider.
Can Heartbeat Activity Be Detected?
Not every positive pregnancy test results in a continuing pregnancy. Miscarriage is common, especially during early pregnancy, and it is possible to have pregnancy hormones in your body even when a pregnancy is no longer developing.
Depending on how far along you are, an ultrasound may be able to detect heartbeat activity and provide more information about how the pregnancy is progressing.
How Does an Ultrasound Work?
Ultrasound technology uses sound waves to create images of structures inside the body. It does not use radiation.
During an abdominal ultrasound, gel is placed on your abdomen, and a handheld device called a transducer is moved across the area. The images created by the sound waves appear on a screen, allowing the sonographer to take measurements and gather information about the pregnancy.
Our team will explain what to expect before your ultrasound begins and give you an opportunity to ask questions about the process.
What Happens Before My Ultrasound?
At The Cottage Women’s Care, the first step is a pregnancy test. If your test is positive, our team will ask a few questions to determine whether you qualify for an ultrasound and when your scan should be scheduled.
Because an ultrasound may not provide the necessary information very early in pregnancy, the timing of your appointment matters. Our team will use the information you provide to determine the appropriate next step.
Start by Learning More About Your Pregnancy
You don’t need to have your future figured out before making an appointment. Start with what you can learn today.
Request a no-cost appointment at The Cottage Women’s Care in Bartlesville.
