What Are the Different Types of Ultrasound Scans in Pregnancy?

Not every pregnancy ultrasound is performed the same way. Some are done through the abdomen, while others are performed vaginally during early pregnancy. Each type serves a different purpose, but all are designed to provide valuable information about your pregnancy. 

At Positive Options, we offer free, confidential pregnancy testing and abdominal ultrasounds to help you determine your next steps.

What to Expect During a Prenatal Ultrasound

The type of ultrasound you receive depends largely on how far along you are in your pregnancy.

During early pregnancy, you may need a transvaginal ultrasound. For this exam, a trained technician called a sonographer gently inserts a lubricated ultrasound probe into the vagina to obtain clear images of the pregnancy. 

The experience is similar to a pelvic exam; you'll lie on an exam table with your feet in stirrups while clothing is removed from the waist down.

Later in the pregnancy,  you'll typically have an abdominal ultrasound. For this scan, gel is applied to your abdomen, and a handheld transducer is moved across your stomach to create images of the developing pregnancy using sound waves.

Both types of ultrasounds are generally painless and usually take about 30 minutes to complete.

What Type of Ultrasound Do We Offer?

At Positive Options, we provide limited obstetric abdominal ultrasounds. Unlike a comprehensive anatomy scan performed later in pregnancy, a limited ultrasound is designed to answer a few important medical questions early in pregnancy.

Our ultrasounds can help determine:

• How far along you are. This information can affect your available pregnancy options.

• Whether or not the pregnancy is located in the uterus. An ectopic pregnancy (located outside the uterus) requires immediate medical attention because it cannot develop normally.

• Whether or not the pregnancy is still viable. Since some pregnancies end naturally in miscarriage, an ultrasound can help identify whether the pregnancy is developing.

Schedule Your Free Ultrasound

If you've recently received a positive pregnancy test, an ultrasound is an important next step. 

At Positive Options, we provide free pregnancy services, including ultrasounds, in a confidential setting so you can get all the above details about your pregnancy and learn about available options.

Schedule a pregnancy test appointment today, and we’ll see if you qualify for a free ultrasound.