Why do I need an ultrasound?
A positive pregnancy test may be immediately followed up with a FREE ultrasound. You might be asking yourself why you need an ultrasound, especially if you are considering abortion. There are 2 reasons to receive an ultrasound in early pregnancy. The first is to confirm an intrauterine pregnancy (pregnancy is located in the uterus). Approximately 1 out of 50 pregnancies are ectopic pregnancies, where the fertilized egg attaches itself somewhere other than the uterus2.
The second reason to obtain an ultrasound is to ensure that the pregnancy is viable, or living. You may be unaware that 20% of women experience natural miscarriage in the first trimester1 (first 12 weeks) of pregnancy, so an ultrasound is the appropriate next step following a positive pregnancy test. An ultrasound would also determine the gestational age of the pregnancy.
Our ultrasounds are performed by our certified ultrasound technician in a professional and confidential environment. Your risk for ectopic pregnancy and/or miscarriage can be best assessed through ultrasound. All results are reviewed by our medical director, a practicing physician in the Baltimore area, ensuring our clients receive medically accurate information regarding your pregnancy.
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Following an ultrasound, our staff will be available to answer any questions or concerns you may have and offer you support as you consider your next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Following a positive pregnancy test, your client advocate will determine whether you qualify for an ultrasound that day. If you do not qualify for one that day, or if all of our appointments are booked, you will be offered an appointment within 1 – 3 weeks.
It is best to have a full bladder for optimal ultrasound images. We recommend that you drink at least 32 ounces of water prior to your appointment. If a transvaginal ultrasound is necessary, you will be able to empty your bladder beforehand.
We perform ultrasounds to determine viability, gestational age and intrauterine pregnancy only.
An ultrasound will usually take approximately 30 minutes. After you have met with a client advocate, you will meet with our ultrasound technician to go over a brief health history and discuss what you can expect. You will be asked to lay back on our comfortable exam table. The technician will place warm transmitting gel on your lower abdomen and will then use an instrument called a transducer to begin the ultrasound. You will see a video screen of moving images of your abdomen and the technician will capture helpful images of your pregnancy for your reference.
The ultrasound will determine gestational age, baby’s heart rate and expected due date. You can expect to receive images to take home with you.
Free and Confidential Support
We offer free options counseling to women in a confidential and safe environment, providing accurate information regarding all their options. We support them in a holistic fashion – body, mind and soul – and thereby empower them to make healthy life choices.
Resources & Referrals
Every woman has different needs. Our education program supports women before, during and after pregnancy. We offer material assistance and we make referrals to many local organizations, dependent upon each woman’s individual needs.
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What Our Clients Are Saying
What Our Clients Are Saying
Questions & Answers
Towson Women’s Care continues to remain open and has taken all necessary precautions to protect our clients, staff, and volunteers from COVID-19.
We are not currently taking walk-ins. To make an appointment, please text us at (410) 970-3897 or call us at (410) 377-2871.
We recommend you make an appointment if you have missed a period, have any pregnancy related questions, or think you or a friend might be pregnant.
After completing paperwork, you will meet with our professionals to go over your information and a pregnancy test will be administered. With a positive pregnancy test result, we will perform an ultrasound to confirm a living, intrauterine pregnancy.
All our services are provided free of charge.
All you need is photo ID.
Absolutely, you can bring your boyfriend, family member or friend. We will talk with you privately first. Then provided you have given us consent to have them in the room, your guest will be able to join you.
We adhere to a strict privacy and confidentiality policy. Clients will be protected from disclosure of information that violates their right to privacy except where required by law, required for public health reasons, required to avert a threat of harm to the client or a third person, or when other circumstances may reasonably warrant such use or disclosure without prior authorization (e.g., abuse reporting, suicide/homicide prevention, etc.).
