Finding out that you’re pregnant can bring a whirlwind of emotions such as excitement, anxiety, or even uncertainty. Whether it was planned or not, confirming your pregnancy is crucial for making informed decisions. A missed period or early symptoms can be indicators, but only a reliable pregnancy test and medical verification can provide true clarity. In this blog, we’ll explore why confirming your pregnancy is the first vital step to take before making any pregnancy related decisions.
What does it mean to verify my pregnancy?
Verifying your pregnancy means confirming that you are pregnant through reliable methods. While an at home pregnancy test can determine that you’re pregnant through the hCG hormone in your urine, it cannot determine how far along you are or if your pregnancy is viable. On top of that, they aren’t always 100% accurate. “Many home pregnancy tests claim to be 99% accurate, but home pregnancy tests differ in their ability to find a pregnancy in people who have recently missed a period.” (Mayo Clinic).
Medical confirmation ensures that your pregnancy is viable and progressing normally. This is done through a reliable pregnancy test and an ultrasound.
Why should I verify my pregnancy?
All pregnancy decisions, such as abortion, rely on important factors like how far along you are and if your pregnancy is viable. These factors determine the different pregnancy options that are available to you. For example, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has an approved timeline of ten weeks gestation for a chemical abortion (ACOG). This means that taking the abortion pill after ten weeks can cause potential medical complications. If you don’t verify your pregnancy, you won’t know exactly how far along you may be.
For your safety, it’s important to be aware of these factors and be well-educated on all of your pregnancy options.
What are some risks if I don’t verify my pregnancy before making my decision?
Getting an ultrasound can confirm that your pregnancy is progressing healthily in the uterus. It’s possible for the fertilized egg to plant outside of the uterus, most commonly in the fallopian tube. This is called an ectopic pregnancy and requires immediate medical attention. If you move forward with a pregnancy decision without verifying the placement of the baby, there can be serious risks towards your health and safety.
Additionally, an ultrasound confirms whether or not the baby has a heartbeat. If there is no heartbeat, then the pregnancy is not viable and will miscarry naturally. In this case, any action taken to end your pregnancy can cause potential complications.
How can we help?
If you need to verify your pregnancy, we are ready to help you! We offer pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and options consultations at no cost to you. To schedule an appointment, click here or call us at (530) 272-6800.
Sources
ACOG Clinic Staff, Medication Abortion Up to 70 Days of Gestation, ACOG, October 2020
Mayo Clinic Staff, Home Pregnancy Tests: Can you trust the results? Mayo Clinic, December 2022
Tanya Wonderly, RN
Nurse Manager
This blog has been reviewed and approved by our Nurse Manager.