How far along am I?
A sonogram, sometimes referred to as an ultrasound, is an advanced diagnostic technique conducted by a licensed medical professional and reviewed by our Medical Director (OB-GYN MD).
It is an important step in understanding your pregnancy and abortion questions. Depending on your individual situation, our center may offer limited obstetrical ultrasound at no charge in order to:
- Verify that there is a pregnancy in the uterus (non-ectopic pregnancy)
- Estimate how far along you are
- Limited screening for miscarriage
This sonogram can provide the clarity you need to make the decision that is right for you.
Please note that if you are experiencing health issues such as bleeding, spotting, or cramping, you should seek immediate medical attention. These could be symptoms of a spontaneous abortion, or miscarriage, and you may require further medical treatment.
FAQs about sonograms:
What is a sonogram, and does it hurt?
Sonogram imaging is a safe and painless procedure. A sonogram scan uses high-frequency sound waves or echoes instead of radiation to safely create images of the inside of the body. A sonogram scan at Real Options generally takes 10-20 minutes.
How is a sonogram used in pregnancy?
A sonogram is used to view the fetus inside the uterus. It allows your obstetrician–gynecologist (OB-GYN) or other healthcare professional to check the health and development of the fetus, monitor your pregnancy, and detect any congenital anomalies.
There are three types of prenatal sonogram exams: (1) standard, (2) limited, and (3) specialized. At Real Options, we do limited sonograms.
What is a limited sonogram?
At Real Options, we perform limited obstetrical sonograms. A limited sonogram means that we are not seeking to answer all the questions your OB-GYN would through a standard or specialized scan. Although our medical professionals are supervised by medical doctors, the scans that they perform are limited by the scope of the questions they are trying to answer and the information they can share with you.
Through the scan, they are seeking to answer the following:
- Is the fetus inside the uterus or is there an immediate risk of an ectopic pregnancy?
- How far along is the pregnancy?
- Is there a heartbeat?
The scan is a tool to help you better understand your situation and to help you make an informed decision about your pregnancy.
Will I receive a sonogram at my initial visit?
This depends on several factors. Although we attempt to do same-day sonograms on the majority of our clients, that is a discussion that will take place between you and the medical professional you will visit with during your initial appointment.
When you arrive for your appointment, you will be given a pregnancy test-even if you have had a positive one at home-as it is required by our doctors in order for us to perform the ultrasound. Once we have your positive pregnancy test, a medical professional will then discuss with you when it would be best to have your ultrasound.
I am considering abortion. Why should I have a sonogram?
Sonograms allow you to be fully informed, so you can make important decisions about your health.
Before scheduling an abortion, you need to know:
- How far along you are in your pregnancy
- If the pregnancy is viable (living)