Pregnancy Testing and Ultrasound

Last week I started writing a blog about the medical clinic here at ABBA.  As promised, today I’d like to give you some information about Pregnancy Testing and Limited Ultrasounds.

So, your period is late and you’re scared…

Here at ABBA we offer free pregnancy tests to first help you find out if indeed your missed period is due to pregnancy.  We use a high quality urine based pregnancy test, which is administered and tested by an RN, which can determine with 99% accuracy if you are pregnant.

So, the test was POSITIVE, now what…?

Take a few minutes to breathe and calm down. A decision needs to be made soon, but it doesn’t need to be made the same day you find out you’re pregnant. Finding out you’re pregnant can be difficult if the pregnancy is unplanned. Before you choose what to do about your pregnancy, take your time to make a well-informed decision. Take time to research the facts, to talk to a trusted individual, and to think on your own before you decide.

What is a limited ultrasound and why do I need one?

A limited obstetrical ultrasound is an ultrasound that is performed to look for specific information.  At ABBA we perform ultrasounds to determine how far along you are (gestational age), that the pregnancy is implanted inside the uterus (not ectopic), and that there is a viable pregnancy (that a heartbeat is present).

Why is an ultrasound important if my pregnancy test was positive? I’m pregnant, right?

Knowing that your pregnant is just the first step, but now what do you need to know?

Determining how pregnant you are is step one.  If you are considering an abortion, it is important to have a limited obstetrical ultrasound to determine the gestational age of your pregnancy to better understand the type of abortion procedure available to you.

Limited ultrasound can also show if you may have a natural miscarriage or if your pregnancy is ectopic, which can be life threatening.  Up to 20%, which is one in five, of known pregnancies end in miscarriage.  Some miscarriages are completely silent but often miscarriages are accompanied by symptoms of bleeding or cramping.  Sometimes minor bleeding/spotting or cramping can be completely normal; we can help you figure this out.  Ectopic pregnancy occurs in up to 1 in 50 pregnancies.  “An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilized egg stays in your fallopian tube. In that case, it’s called an ectopic pregnancy or a tubal pregnancy. In rare cases, the fertilized egg attaches to one of your ovaries, another organ in your abdomen, or even the cervix. Ectopic pregnancies require emergency treatment.” (source) Like a miscarriage, an ectopic pregnancy can be accompanied by bleeding and pain/cramping in the abdomen or pelvis.  With an ultrasound we can help determine the safety of your pregnancy, the presence of a miscarriage or the need for immediate medical attention.

We are here to help you.  We are committed to offering accurate information to help you make your decision and providing a warm and safe environment for you.  #pregnancyhelp #ultrasounds #pregnant #pregnancyresourcecenter #freeservices

Next week I plan to blog on STI’s, testing and treatment…Stay tuned!

Elena, RN