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Why Do You Need an Ultrasound Before an Abortion?

Why Do You Need an Ultrasound Before an Abortion?

When you visit the surgical abortion clinic in London for a consultation, it may surprise you to learn that the doctor will want to conduct an ultrasound. We usually think of an ultrasound as something that happens later in the pregnancy for women who choose to proceed, but having an ultrasound can actually be very important if you are planning to have a termination.

Three Reasons for the Ultrasound

The ultrasound at the surgical abortion clinic in London can provide some important information about your pregnancy. It will help the doctor to advise you on the best way to proceed if you decide to go ahead with the abortion.

Firstly, the ultrasound will confirm that you are still pregnant. Although you may have confirmed the pregnancy with a test, it is very common for early pregnancies to fail. If you have had a miscarriage at this stage, it isn’t usually a sign of any health or fertility problems, and you may still need a procedure to remove the remains of the pregnancy from your womb.

Secondly, the scan will be used to check the location of the pregnancy. In most cases, the foetus will be in your womb, but some pregnancies can develop ectopically. If you have an ectopic pregnancy, you will need to have an abortion. It isn’t possible for the pregnancy to survive and leaving it in place could be dangerous for your health. However, a slightly different technique may need to be used if the pregnancy is ectopic.

The third and final purpose of the ultrasound at the surgical abortion clinic in London is to date your pregnancy. The length of the pregnancy will determine whether you are still able to have a termination. It can also affect which type of abortion will be most suitable for you.

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