More Than a Positive Line
Finding out you are pregnant is one thing. Understanding what is actually happening inside your body is another. At Aspire Women’s Clinic, a limited OB ultrasound gives you a clear picture at no cost. We protect your patient information to ensure your privacy.
The Details That Change Everything
A pregnancy test can only detect hCG at measurable levels. An ultrasound at Aspire Women’s Clinic can show:
- Location of the pregnancy: Confirms the pregnancy is inside the uterus.
- Pregnancy progression: Confirms whether cardiac activity is present to show the pregnancy is progressing.
- How far along you are: If possible, an ultrasound can measure your gestational age and give you an estimated due date.
Please note that our ultrasounds are not diagnostic for certain conditions.
Sound Waves, Not Guesswork
A limited OB ultrasound builds a picture of your pregnancy using sound waves that bounce off tissue inside your body and come back as images on a screen. There is no radiation involved.
How it is performed depends on where you are in your pregnancy. In early pregnancy, a transvaginal ultrasound using a small wand-shaped device is gently inserted into the vagina to capture detailed images of the pregnancy.
An abdominal ultrasound is the most common type and is typically used a little further along in the pregnancy. A small amount of gel is applied to your abdomen, and a handheld device is moved gently across your skin to capture images.
Ultrasound scans are typically quick and painless. However, you may feel slight discomfort from the transducer’s pressure, especially if your bladder is full (which is often recommended for a clear picture).
What to Know About Ectopic Pregnancies
About 2% of known pregnancies are ectopic, meaning the fertilized egg has implanted somewhere outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube.
An ectopic pregnancy cannot continue and requires prompt medical attention. Without it, the fallopian tube can rupture, leading to internal bleeding and a potentially life-threatening situation.
There are no symptoms that distinguish an ectopic pregnancy from a normal early pregnancy, and a pregnancy test will not detect it. The only way to know for certain is through a limited OB ultrasound.
While our clinic does not diagnose this condition, we can point you in the right direction if your ultrasound does not show a pregnancy inside your uterus.
What the Early Weeks Can Tell Us
The first few weeks of pregnancy carry a lot of information. Cardiac activity is one of the earliest indicators of a pregnancy’s progress.
Miscarriage occurs in about 1 in 4 known pregnancies. Knowing where things stand early gives you the information you need to make decisions and get the right follow-up care if necessary.
What to Expect When You Come In
Here is how your appointment will go:
- You will start with a no-cost, confidential pregnancy test
- If your result is positive, you may be eligible for a limited OB ultrasound
- A licensed nurse or RDMS will perform the scan
- You will be able to see the screen throughout the entire process
- We will walk you through everything you see and answer every question you have
You will not be left wondering what something means. We are with you from the moment you walk in to the moment you leave.
Taking the first step is easier than you think. Schedule your confidential appointment today.
