What Is An Ultrasound?

An ultrasound is an imaging test that reveals the inside of your body using high-frequency sound waves. It creates real-time pictures and images of the inside of a woman’s uterus.

The Center offers free and confidential ultrasounds. Our Nurse Manager places a gel-like substance on your abdomen and rubs an instrument called a transducer through the gel. The transducer converts the echoes of sound waves into signals that create an image of the inside of your uterus.

Why Do I Need an Ultrasound?

An ultrasound scan answers three vital questions:

1. Is the pregnancy growing, or have I miscarried?

Medical experts estimate that 26% of all pregnancies end in a miscarriage, and nearly 80% of those happen in the first trimester. That’s over one in four pregnancies! You may not experience symptoms of a miscarriage.

Because it takes a woman’s body time to return to pre-pregnancy hormone levels after a miscarriage, you could still get a positive pregnancy test for days or possibly weeks after. The only way to know for sure if your pregnancy is developing or if you’ve miscarried is with an ultrasound.

2. How Far Along Am I?

Many women are surprised to find they miscalculated when they got pregnant. If you are considering abortion, you need to know the number of weeks you have been pregnant.

An ultrasound determines how far along your pregnancy is, so you’ll know what procedures you qualify for.

3. What About Ectopic Pregnancies?

You may or may not know what an ectopic pregnancy is, but your pregnancy may not be located in your uterus. An ectopic pregnancy means the fertilized egg has implanted in another area that cannot sustain a growing embryo.

Having an ectopic pregnancy is a life-threatening condition and may need immediate attention. Our sonographer, under the direction of our medical director, may suspect something abnormal and will refer you to see a healthcare professional as soon as you can.

Free and Confidential Ultrasounds

The Center provides free and confidential ultrasounds by appointment. Schedule your appointment today.