Explanation of Services
Appointment Overview
- Welcomed with a smile
- General information taken
- Pregnancy test
- Pregnancy test results
- Options Consultation
- Discussion of resources needed
- Ultrasound performed, if applicable
- Ultrasound photos provided
- Discharge with resource info
- Follow up by phone or text
What You Should Know
- All services are free and confidential
- No insurance is needed
- Photo ID is encouraged
- Walk-ins are welcome
- Our staff includes a licensed, medical professional qualified to perform ultrasound
- Both locations include trained pregnancy options consultants
- We administer urine pregnancy test
- Ultrasounds are typically offered from 6 to 24 weeks LMP, if applicable
- No gender reveals
- Ultrasound photos provided
- Options consultation provided
- Non-judgmental and confidential services
- Referrals to community agencies
- No childcare on site
Pregnancy Tests - How They Work
Urine pregnancy tests detect the presence of a hormone called Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG) in your urine when the embryo attaches to the wall of the uterus. Levels of this hormone increase rapidly in early pregnancy. Most pregnancy tests can detect levels of hCG as early as 10 days after conception.
If you perform a pregnancy test too soon, you may not have sufficient hCG levels for the test to detect, so you could get a negative test result. Urine pregnancy tests are accurate, but the detailed instructions must be followed. Our licensed medical professional on the mobile unit will help assure your test is performed accurately.
Ultrasound – What it is
Ultrasound is energy in the form of sound waves. During an ultrasound exam, a transducer (the name for the handheld device) sends sound waves through the body. The sound waves encounter tissues, body fluids, and bones. The waves then bounce back, like echoes. The transducer receives these echoes, which are turned into images. The images can be viewed as pictures on a video screen.
What is a limited obstetric ultrasound exam?
A limited obstetric ultrasound exam is performed to answer a few specific questions in the first trimester of pregnancy. On the mobile unit, the nurse or sonographer uses this ultrasound to
- determine that your baby is developing in your uterus
- determine your baby’s heart rate
- determine the gestational age of your baby (age from the first day of your last menstrual period) which will help provide an estimated due date
- determine the number of embryos present This ultrasound will not be used to identify birth defects or the sex of your baby.
How is an ultrasound exam performed?
During a pelvic ultrasound exam, the probe is either moved across your abdomen (belly–a transabdominal ultrasound) or placed in your vagina (a transvaginal ultrasound). Transvaginal ultrasounds are typically performed in the first trimester if the licensed medical professional is unable to obtain a clear image of your baby with a transabdominal ultrasound.
What are the risks of ultrasound exams?
Currently, there is no evidence that ultrasound is harmful to a developing baby. No links have been found between ultrasound and birth defects, childhood cancer, or developmental problems later in life. However, it is possible that effects could be identified in the future. For this reason, it is recommended that ultrasound exams be performed only for medical reasons by qualified health care professionals. Casual use of ultrasound, meaning ultrasound for non-medical purposes during pregnancy, should be avoided.
