After a positive pregnancy test, an ultrasound is your next step. At HiPeak Health, we provide ultrasounds at no cost to you and they are completely confidential.
An ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to project an image of your uterus onto a screen. Ultrasounds are used throughout pregnancies to check in on the development and ensure that the pregnancy is progressing correctly. During your first ultrasound, the main goal is to verify your positive pregnancy tet by locating the pregnancy.
After confirming the pregnancy, the tech/nurse will measure your pregnancy and estimate how far along your pregnancy has progressed. She will also tets to see if there is a detectable heartbeat. If there is no detectable heartbeat, then it may still be very early in your pregnancy or it might mean that you could naturally miscarry. If there is no detectable heartbeat you may have to return for asecond scan. Staff will also ensure that your pregnancy has implanted in the uterus. If it has not, it is considered an ectopic pregnancy. This is an emergent situation and you will need to see your physician or go to the emergency department immediately.
To prepare for your ultrasound appointment, you will be asked to come in with a full bladder. This helps the tech/nurse get a clear view of the pregnancy. You will be asked to lie down on an examination table and ultrasound gel will be applied to your lower abdomen. The tech/nurse will then use a transducer to go across your abdomen to get a good view of your pregnancy. You will be able to view the ultrasound on a monitor and the tech/nurse will explain the process during the scan. If you are less than 14 weeks pregnant, you may need to have what is called a transvaginal scan to be able to view the pregnancy more clearly.
After an ultrasound, it is time to consider all of your options. At HiPeak Health we want to give you accurate and up-to-date information about all of your options. We are here to support you and answer any questions you may have through your desicion-making process and beyond.
