Do I Need an Ultrasound Before Considering an Abortion?

June 18, 2026

If you’re thinking about abortion, you may be wondering what steps you need to take first.

Maybe you’ve already taken a home pregnancy test and received a positive result. Maybe you’re researching the abortion pill or looking into your options online. Whatever brought you here, there’s one important thing you should know:

Yes, you need an ultrasound before considering an abortion.

A positive pregnancy test can tell you that you’re pregnant, but it can’t tell you critical information about your pregnancy that could affect your health and your options. An ultrasound provides important medical details that help ensure you’re making a safe and informed decision.

Here are three reasons why an ultrasound is so important before an abortion.

1. An Ultrasound Confirms Where Your Pregnancy Is Located

One of the most important things an ultrasound can determine is whether your pregnancy is located inside the uterus.

This matters because some pregnancies develop outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube. This is called an ectopic pregnancy.

An ectopic pregnancy is a serious medical condition that can become life-threatening if left untreated. Symptoms may not appear right away, so you may be unaware that there is a problem.

An abortion procedure or the abortion pill will not treat an ectopic pregnancy. Instead, an ectopic pregnancy requires immediate medical attention and treatment.

Because a pregnancy test cannot tell where a pregnancy is located, an ultrasound is necessary to rule out this potentially dangerous condition and protect your health.

2. An Ultrasound Determines How Far Along You Are

If you’re considering the abortion pill, knowing how far along your pregnancy is isn’t just helpful; it’s essential.

The abortion pill regimen is approved by the FDA for pregnancies through 10 weeks of gestation. While some providers may use different protocols, it’s important to understand that the further along a pregnancy is, the greater the likelihood of complications.

An ultrasound provides a more accurate estimate of gestational age than simply counting from your last menstrual period. This information can help you better understand your pregnancy and the options available to you.

3. An Ultrasound Can Determine Whether the Pregnancy Is Viable

Another important reason to get an ultrasound is to determine whether the pregnancy is viable.

A viable pregnancy is one that is developing and shows detectable signs of progression, such as a heartbeat at the appropriate stage of development.

Unfortunately, not every pregnancy develops. Some pregnancies end naturally in miscarriage, sometimes before a woman even realizes there is a problem.

If an ultrasound reveals that the pregnancy is no longer progressing, you may actually be experiencing a miscarriage rather than an ongoing pregnancy. If this is occurring, abortion wouldn’t be an option, since abortion ends a viable pregnancy. 

Knowing whether your pregnancy is viable helps ensure that you’re receiving the care you actually need.

Get the Answers You Need at Choices

Before making any pregnancy decision, you deserve accurate medical information.

At Choices, we offer free, confidential medical consultations that include an ultrasound so you can learn important details about your pregnancy, ask questions, and understand your options.

Our team is here to provide a safe, supportive environment where you can get the information you need to make an informed decision about your next steps.

If you’re considering abortion, start with the facts.

Contact Choices today to schedule your free, confidential appointment and receive the information you need to move forward.