ChampionsYour Next Step
Getting an ultrasound is the most important step you can take after you have a positive pregnancy test. Ultrasound will help you know for sure if your pregnancy is viable. Most clients who come to Houston Pregnancy Center qualify for a complimentary non-diagnostic ultrasound.
While you are here for your pregnancy test appointment, a staff member will determine if you qualify and get you scheduled for your limited obstetrical ultrasound. We provide non-diagnostic ultrasounds to our clients free of charge.
What Is Ultrasound?
Ultrasound is an imaging method using high-frequency sound waves to capture an image from inside your body. During the scan, a gel will be applied to your abdomen that allows a hand-held transducer to pick up echoes of the sound waves inside.
The sound waves bounce back to create a digital image of your uterus and possible pregnancy which can be viewed on a large monitor.
There’s A Chance You Aren’t Pregnant
Believe it or not, you can have a positive pregnancy test but not have a viable pregnancy. Viable means the pregnancy is developing as expected and a heartbeat is detectable.
The Mayo Clinic reports that up to 20% of known pregnancies end in a natural miscarriage. The number of actual miscarriages is likely higher since many women miscarry before they even know they’re pregnant.
After a miscarriage, it can take more than 2 weeks for the hormone that is detected for a positive pregnancy test to clear out of your body, so it’s entirely possible to get a positive result even after a miscarriage.
Why Do I Need An Ultrasound?
In addition to learning how many days/weeks you have been pregnant, a non-diagnostic ultrasound will show if your pregnancy is properly positioned in your uterus.
About 2% of pregnancies develop outside of the uterus. This is called an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy—that can only be detected through an ultrasound scan—can be a life-threatening condition and requires immediate medical attention. Ectopic pregnancy is the leading cause of maternal death during the first trimester of pregnancy.
A limited obstetrical ultrasound scan can also confirm the viability of your pregnancy and provides important information for determining your next step.