If you think you might be pregnant, it’s normal to want answers quickly. A home pregnancy test can tell you whether the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hcG) is present, but it cannot confirm key details about the pregnancy itself. An ultrasound can be an important follow-up because it provides information that affects your next steps.

At Gateway Women’s Care, we offer free and confidential support and pregnancy services in a calm, respectful environment. If you’ve had a positive pregnancy test, an ultrasound may be the next step to help you understand your pregnancy and your options.

Schedule an appointment today to get answers and support.

What an Ultrasound Is and How It Creates Images

An ultrasound is a medical imaging scan that uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the inside of the body. Unlike X-rays, ultrasound does not use radiation, which is why it is commonly used during pregnancy.

During the scan, a trained professional uses a handheld device called a transducer. The transducer sends sound waves into the body. Those sound waves bounce back (echo) when they hit internal structures, including the uterus. A computer then converts those echoes into live images displayed on a screen.

Abdominal vs. Transvaginal Ultrasound: What’s the Difference?

In early pregnancy, the type of ultrasound used depends largely on how far along you are.

An abdominal ultrasound is performed over the lower abdomen. A nurse or sonographer applies a gel to your lower stomach, and the transducer is moved across your skin to create images of the uterus.

A transvaginal ultrasound may be used as early as 5 weeks gestation or 1 to 2 weeks after a missed period by detecting the gestational sac. For this scan, a thin wand-like transducer is inserted into the vagina. It helps to see if there is any abnormality with the uterus, cervix, endometrium, fallopian tubes, ovaries, bladder, or the pelvic cavity.

What an Ultrasound Can Tell You

A pregnancy test can indicate pregnancy, but an ultrasound can provide important medical details, including:

• Whether the pregnancy is located in the uterus or outside the uterus (ectopic)
• Estimate gestational age (how far along you are)
• Check for signs of viability, such as a detectable fetal heartbeat

This information matters because an ectopic pregnancy can be dangerous and requires immediate medical care. Assessing viability, or whether a pregnancy appears to be developing as expected, is also important  because 10 to 20% known pregnancies end naturally in miscarriage. An ultrasound can help identify what is happening so you can seek appropriate follow-up if needed.

Get the Information You Need in a Supportive Setting

You deserve answers without pressure. Gateway Women’s Care is here to provide free and confidential support, explain your results, and help you take your next step with clarity.

Schedule an appointment today to learn more.