Ultrasound Importance
If you’re facing an unintended pregnancy, you may wonder why you need an ultrasound before abortion.
The answer is that ultrasounds determine two key aspects of your pregnancy: viability and gestational age, both of which impact your pregnancy options.
Essential Medical Information from Your Free Ultrasound
During your ultrasound examination, trained medical professionals can determine crucial information about your pregnancy.
Our free ultrasound referrals confirm:
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- Fetal heartbeat
- Pregnancy location within or outside the uterus
- Accurate gestational age
- Detection of multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets, etc.)
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Understanding Pregnancy Viability Through Ultrasound
A viable pregnancy means that growth and development are progressing as expected during the early stages of pregnancy. For example, at about 6 weeks gestation, the fetal heartbeat can typically be detected by an ultrasound technology.[1] This serves as one of the primary indicators of pregnancy viability.
Miscarriage
Knowing whether your pregnancy is viable is critical because approximately 10-20% of known pregnancies end naturally in miscarriage.[2] Without ultrasound confirmation, you may not know whether natural pregnancy loss has already begun.
Ectopic Pregnancy
Ultrasounds can also identify pregnancies that develop outside the uterus, known as ectopic pregnancies. These occur in roughly 1-2% of all pregnancies and can be life-threatening if not properly diagnosed and treated.[3] Ectopic pregnancies cannot be treated with abortion medications,[4] making accurate ultrasound diagnosis crucial for your immediate health and safety.
Why Gestational Age Matters
Gestational age refers to how far along you are in your pregnancy, measured from the first day of your last menstrual period. However, calculating gestational age based solely on your period can be inaccurate due to irregular cycles, recent birth control use, or other factors.
Knowing your gestational age is crucial because the abortion pill is only FDA-approved for use up to 10 weeks from your last menstrual period.[5]
Consider receiving a free ultrasound referral. If your ultrasound determines that you’re too far along for an abortion, our compassionate client advocates will help you explore all of your pregnancy options, so you can make the best choice for your health and future.
Please be aware that this article is not meant to substitute for medical advice or treatment. Our limited ultrasound examination is strictly for confirming pregnancy, detecting fetal cardiac activity, and estimating gestational age. We cannot diagnose medical problems you may be experiencing, pregnancy-related or otherwise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need an ultrasound before having an abortion?
An ultrasound is essential before abortion because it provides critical medical information about your pregnancy that directly impacts your safety and treatment options.
The ultrasound determines two key factors: pregnancy viability (whether the pregnancy is developing normally) and accurate gestational age (how far along you are). This information is crucial because the abortion pill is only FDA-approved for use up to 10 weeks from your last menstrual period, and certain pregnancy complications like ectopic pregnancies cannot be treated with standard abortion medications.
What will the ultrasound show about my pregnancy?
During your free ultrasound examination, trained medical professionals can detect several important aspects of your pregnancy including:
- Fetal heartbeat
- Whether the pregnancy is located within or outside the uterus
- Gestational age determination
- Detection of multiple pregnancies such as twins or triplets
How accurate is gestational age calculation without an ultrasound?
Calculating gestational age based solely on your period can be inaccurate due to several factors including irregular menstrual cycles, recent birth control use, or other hormonal influences.
Professional ultrasounds provide the most accurate method for determining gestational age. In fact, many women discover through ultrasound that they are either earlier or further along than they initially thought.
Pathways Pregnancy Resource Center provides generally accepted medical information and pregnancy services but does not perform or refer for abortion procedures or emergency contraception. All information on this site is subject to change and should not be considered medical or legal advice. Please consult your own professional in the event of specific medical or legal needs.
Sources:
- Männer, J. (2022, June 9). When Does the Human Embryonic Heart Start Beating? A Review of Contemporary and Historical Sources of Knowledge about the Onset of Blood Circulation in Man. Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9225347/
- Mayo Clinic. (2023, September 8). Miscarriage – Symptoms and Causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pregnancy-loss-miscarriage/symptoms-causes/syc-20354298
- Cleveland Clinic. (2023, January 18). Ectopic Pregnancy. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9687-ectopic-pregnancy
- FDA. (2025, February 11). Questions and Answers on Mifeprex. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/questions-and-answers-mifeprex
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. (2025, January 17). Mifeprex (Mifepristone). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/mifeprex-mifepristone-information