Do I need an ultrasound before an abortion with pills?

Do I need an ultrasound before an abortion with pills?

In most cases no, unless you are unsure how long you have been pregnant or you are at an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy.
 
It is important to know approximately how advanced your pregnancy is if you are opting for an abortion, because different gestational ages require different abortion methods. For example, abortion pills can only be safely used at home in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Women who have regular menstrual cycles of around 28 days can get a fairly accurate estimate of how long they have been pregnant by counting the days and weeks from the first day of their last menstrual period (LMP).
 
Women with irregular cycles, or women who become pregnant on hormone contraceptives, cannot rely on this method to estimate how long they have been pregnant. These women should consider getting an ultrasound, because an ultrasound can accurately determine how advanced the pregnancy is.
 
The other situation when an ultrasound could be useful before an abortion is to rule out ectopic pregnancy in women who are at increased risk of one. In an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilised egg implants outside the uterine cavity, usually in the fallopian tubes. Some situations, such as becoming pregnant with an IUD in place or having had previous ectopic pregnancies, increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy. Women with an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy should have an ultrasound to rule out an ectopic pregnancy before having an abortion. This is because the abortion pills will not terminate an ectopic pregnancy and you would be at risk of the ectopic pregnancy rupturing.

If you want to have an ultrasound and you want to speak to a pro-choice doctor on how to arrange this, contact the Abortion Doula Support Service on +356 2034 1683.

    • Related Articles

    • Do I need an ultrasound after an abortion with pills?

      In most cases no, unless you have a complication or you suspect the abortion has been unsuccessful. Most (over 95%) of women who use abortion pills in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy will not need any medical assistance and the abortion happens ...
    • How effective are abortion pills?

      The combined use of Mifepristone and Misoprostol is 99% effective at terminating the pregnancy, whereas Misoprostol on its own has a 92-98% success rate. Most women will know their abortion has been successful because they see blood and tissue coming ...
    • I need an ultrasound. How do I get one?

      Most gynaecologists perform ultrasounds in their private clinics. If you want to contact a pro-choice gynaecologist you can call the Abortion Doula Support Service on +356 2034 1683.
    • What do I need for an abortion at home?

      If you intend to have an abortion with pills at home, you need to have the following essential items: - Abortion pills: The recommended regimen for an abortion with pills nowadays is Mifepristone followed by Misoprostol. If you only have Misoprostol ...
    • I am between 8 and 12 weeks pregnant and I need an abortion. What are my options?

      An abortion with pills is still possible at this stage of pregnancy. You can also travel for a surgical abortion abroad. Abortion pills (Mifepristone and Misoprostol) can safely be used at home up to 12 weeks of pregnancy, as long as you have clear ...