Pregnancy Confirmation and Dating Ultrasound

Why You Need an Ultrasound Before Abortion in Pennsylvania

If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy, you may wonder why you need an ultrasound before abortion.

The answer is that ultrasounds determine two key aspects of your pregnancy: viability and gestational age, both of which impact your pregnancy options.

Two women discussing "Why You Need an Ultrasound Before Abortion in Lewisburg and Williamsport PA"

A woman receiving an ultrasound at Expectations Women's Center

Essential Medical Information from Your Free Ultrasound

During your pregnancy confirmation and dating ultrasound, trained medical professionals can determine crucial information about your pregnancy.

Our free ultrasound services confirm:

Fetal heartbeat
Pregnancy location within or outside the uterus
Accurate gestational age

Understanding Pregnancy Viability

A viable pregnancy means that growth and development are progressing as expected during the early stages of pregnancy. For example, at about 6 weeks gestation, the fetal heartbeat can typically be detected by an ultrasound technology.[1] This serves as one of the primary indicators of pregnancy viability.

Miscarriage

Knowing whether your pregnancy is viable is critical because approximately 10-20% of known pregnancies end naturally in miscarriage.[2] Without ultrasound confirmation, you may not know if natural pregnancy loss has already begun.

Ectopic Pregnancy

Ultrasounds can also identify pregnancies that develop outside the uterus, known as ectopic pregnancies. These occur in roughly 1-2% of all pregnancies and can be life-threatening if not properly diagnosed and treated.[3]

Ectopic pregnancies are not treated by abortion[4], making accurate ultrasound diagnosis crucial for your immediate health and safety.

A medical professional explaining pregnancy viability

Why Gestational Age Matters

Gestational age refers to how far along you are in your pregnancy, measured from the first day of your last menstrual period. However, calculating gestational age based solely on your period can be inaccurate due to irregular cycles, recent birth control use, or other factors. Professional ultrasounds are the most accurate way to determine your gestational age.

Knowing your gestational age is crucial because the abortion pill is only FDA-approved for use up to 10 weeks from your last menstrual period.[5] Additionally, Pennsylvania prohibits abortion after 24 weeks.[6]

Consider receiving a free ultrasound at Expectations Women's Center. If your ultrasound determines that you’re too far along for an abortion, our compassionate client advocates will help you explore all of your pregnancy options, so you can make the best choice for your health and future.

What to Expect During Your Free Ultrasound Appointment

During your free ultrasound appointment, our compassionate medical staff will guide you through the entire process. We’ll explain what we’re seeing on the ultrasound screen and answer any questions you may have about your pregnancy.

Your free ultrasound appointment will include:

Comprehensive pregnancy confirmation through visual imaging
Precise gestational age determination
Fetal heartbeat detection
Pregnancy viability evaluation
Detailed explanation of your ultrasound results
Time for questions and discussion in a supportive environment
Preliminary written ultrasound report for your medical records

Our goal is to ensure you leave your appointment with accurate education about your pregnancy status and a clear understanding of your individual situation.

A medical professional explaining What to Expect During Your Free Ultrasound Appointment

Be Informed

At Expectations Women’s Center we offer pregnancy confirmation and pregnancy dating ultrasounds free of charge at our locations in Williamsport, PA, and Lewisburg, PA.

We offer pregnancy confirmation ultrasounds and pregnancy dating ultrasounds because they are the best way to answer the three questions we get asked most frequently:

Am I pregnant?

While most urine tests come with 98% accuracy, a pregnancy confirmation ultrasound is the only way to confirm a pregnancy with 100% certainty. We know that it’s important for you to know, without a doubt, that you’re pregnant before you explore your pregnancy options.

How far along am I?

Your cycle tracking app probably gives you an estimate of how far along you might be, but a pregnancy dating ultrasound is the best way to “date” the pregnancy. With this type of ultrasound, we’re able to give you the insight into how far along you are – this is a key piece of information that will determine the pregnancy options you consider.

Is my pregnancy viable?

It’s estimated that somewhere between 15-30% of pregnancies are not viable and end in miscarriage. While a urine pregnancy test may be able to give you a pretty good indication of whether or not you’re pregnant, we’re able to confirm that and tell you if your pregnancy is viable by doing an ultrasound.

Pre-Abortion Assessment

Pregnancy Testing
Limited Obstetrical Ultrasound Exam
Gestational Age Determination
Pregnancy and Abortion Options Consultation
Medical, Insurance, and Community Support Referrals

If this isn’t a good time to be pregnant, there are options. Our pregnancy confirmation and dating ultrasounds can be done as a part of our pre-abortion assessment. Know your options. Choose with confidence.

*We do not provide extended OB/GYN or pre-natal care, birth control prescriptions or devices, fertility testing, abortion services, referrals for abortion or STI/STD testing.

A woman thinking about her Pre-Abortion Assessment

Make an appointment at Expectations Women's Center

You’re Not Alone.

If you’re looking for a safe, nonjudgmental place to talk to someone about abortion options, schedule a confidential confirmation of pregnancy appointment. We have locations in both Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.

Make an Appointment

Education Resource

We empower you with fact- and evidence-based education, so you can make informed decisions about relationships, pregnancy, abortion, adoption and parenting.

Privacy Matters

At Expectations Women’s Center, we believe your private life should be kept private. We’ll be here to help you as you navigate life, but we’ll keep your decisions confidential.

Free of Charge

All of our services are offered free of charge, so whether you want someone to talk to, a pregnancy test or an ultrasound, we won’t let money get in the way.

A woman discussing her education resources

A woman making an appointment at Expectations Women's Center

We’re Committed To Serving You.

All services at Expectations Women’s Center are provided in a
non-judgmental way without regard to sex, age, race, income, nationality, religious affiliation, disability or other arbitrary circumstances. We provide respectful, compassionate, and non-discriminatory care for every individual.