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Ultrasounds
After a positive pregnancy test, it’s normal for you to feel overwhelmed. Your next step is to confirm your results with an ultrasound.
WHAT IS AN ULTRASOUND?
An ultrasound is an imaging procedure that allows your nurse to see inside of your uterus. A transducer emits high-frequency sound waves and projects an image based on how they bounce back.
WHEN SHOULD I GET AN ULTRASOUND?
If your pregnancy test comes back positive and you are more than an estimated six weeks pregnant, your nurse may elect to provide you with an ultrasound exam.
WHY DO I NEED AN ULTRASOUND?
At the PRC of West Plains, we will be providing ultrasounds to discover three things about your pregnancy.
- Fetus viability
- Location of the pregnancy
- Age of the fetus
WHAT IS FETUS VIABILITY?
During your ultrasound, your nurse will look for and measure the fetal heart rate and check to see that the pregnancy is progressing normally inside of your uterus. Once a heart rate is established, a pregnancy is generally considered to be viable.
WHY DOES THE LOCATION OF THE PREGNANCY MATTER?
To safely carry a pregnancy to term, the pregnancy must be located in the uterus. If the pregnancy has been implanted somewhere outside of the uterus, like in the fallopian tubes, there will not be enough room for the pregnancy to develop fully. If allowed to continue, the pregnancy could pose a threat to you.