3 Reasons You Need an Ultrasound Before an Abortion

November 1, 2026

When you see a positive pregnancy test, you may feel like you need to figure out your next step immediately. But before making a decision as significant as abortion, you deserve the chance to understand what is actually happening with your pregnancy.

At Nova Women’s Health, a no-cost limited obstetrical ultrasound can provide important details that a pregnancy test cannot. Knowing how many weeks along you are, where the pregnancy is developing, and whether the pregnancy is progressing can give you a clearer picture.

We also provide details about your options so you can make a confident and informed decision moving forward. Schedule your confidential appointment today to get the information you deserve.

1. To Find Out How Far Along Your Pregnancy Is

Knowing your gestational age can help you understand what stage your pregnancy has reached. This is important since the abortion pill is only FDA-approved through ten weeks gestation.

Counting from the first day of your last menstrual period can give you an estimate, but it may be less reliable if your cycles are irregular or you are unsure of when your last period began.

2. To Confirm Where the Pregnancy Is Located

An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that has implanted somewhere outside of the uterus. As the ectopic pregnancy grows, the fallopian tube can become stretched and eventually rupture, causing internal bleeding.

This is especially important to know before taking abortion drugs, as they do not treat an ectopic pregnancy.

If an ectopic pregnancy goes undiagnosed, the pregnancy can continue developing while symptoms such as abdominal pain and bleeding may be mistaken for expected effects of the abortion drugs. If the fallopian tube ruptures, the resulting internal bleeding can become life-threatening and requires emergency medical treatment.

3. To Check Whether the Pregnancy Is Developing

A positive pregnancy test does not necessarily mean that the pregnancy is continuing to develop normally. hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) can remain detectable even after an early miscarriage.

An ultrasound may show signs of an ongoing pregnancy or findings that suggest the pregnancy has already ended. Depending on how far along the pregnancy is, the ultrasound may also show cardiac activity.

Get a No-Cost Ultrasound at Nova Women’s Health

You have the right to know what is happening with your pregnancy before making a decision that could affect your health and your future.

At Nova Women’s Health, you can receive a pre-abortion screening, including an ultrasound, in a confidential and judgment-free setting. Our medical staff can help you understand what the ultrasound shows, answer your questions, and give you space to consider your next steps without pressure.

You do not have to walk in with everything figured out. Contact us to make your no-cost appointment.

Nova Women’s Health does not provide or refer for abortions.

All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.