You just took a positive pregnancy test and are now wondering what to do. Since this was unexpected, you’re not sure of your next step.
If you are thinking of abortion, three things are vital before you make that appointment. You need to get a reliable pregnancy test, an obstetric ultrasound, and get tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
1. Pregnancy Testing
It is important to have a high-quality, medical-grade pregnancy test so that you can be sure of the results. The best time to take a test is right after you miss your period.
As soon as a pregnancy occurs, a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is produced. However, the levels are not high enough for an accurate result until around the time a period is missed.
There are a lot of cheap, store-brand pregnancy tests out there, but they vary greatly in quality and reliability. Assurance Care Women’s Clinic can provide you with no-cost clinical-grade pregnancy testing.
2. Ultrasound
It is important to get an obstetric ultrasound by qualified professionals before scheduling an abortion. This is crucial for several reasons.
An ultrasound can tell you how far along you are. It can also confirm if your pregnancy is viable (or progressing and looks like it will continue.)
It is estimated that 10-20% of early pregnancies are lost to miscarriage. An ultrasound can see if the pregnancy looks like it is continuing as expected.
An ultrasound can also determine that the pregnancy is growing in the uterus. This can rule out an ectopic pregnancy, in which the pregnancy grows outside the uterus, typically in a fallopian tube. If undetected and untreated, this condition can be very dangerous.
Assurance Care’s experienced medical team can perform a limited obstetric ultrasound at no cost. We will determine how far along you are, if your pregnancy is viable, and if it is growing inside the uterus.
3. STI Testing
It is essential to receive STI testing with any pregnancy, especially if you are considering abortion. This is particularly true with regard to chlamydia and gonorrhea.
These two infections tend to reside outside of the vaginal area. During an abortion, there is a chance the medical instruments could carry the infection into the uterus.
If left untreated, the infection can develop into pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can be a serious condition, leading to infertility or chronic pelvic pain.
At Assurance Care, we can provide you with free STI testing and refer you for any necessary treatment.
Assurance Care exists to help women who think they might be pregnant find the answers they need. From pregnancy testing to limited obstetric ultrasound to STI testing, we can provide it all at no cost to you.
Contact us today!