CAPC
Capital Area Pregnancy Centers

Frequently Asked Questions About
Ultrasounds & Pregnancy

Ultrasound Services

 


At CAPC, our goal is to provide you with accurate and up-to-date information about pregnancy and abortion so that you can make a fully informed decision about your pregnancy.  Contact CAPC at (717) 761-4411 for more information about scheduling an ultrasound.

-James Long, M.D., CAPC Medical Director
-Leslie O'Neil, R.N., CAPC Nurse Manager
-Sandra Owens, R.N., CAPC Staff Nurse

Why have an ultrasound?

The use of ultrasound in early pregnancy is beneficial in determining how far along the pregnancy is, the position and size of the embryo, the number of embryos, and the viability of the pregnancy (detection of a heartbeat).  For women considering abortion, this information is very useful for making a well-informed decision.

An ultrasound can determine if there is a possible miscarriage or ectopic (tubal) pregnancy.   Miscarriage occurs in 15-20% of known pregnancies.  About 1 in 50 pregnancies is ectopic.  If one of these situations exist, then abortion may not be medically necessary and could be a potentially hazardous procedure.  Therefore, a positive pregnancy test should never be used alone to decide whether or not to have an abortion.   An ultrasound gives more complete information.

Who will perform the ultrasound?

An ultrasound requires a doctor's order, therefore medical personnel who are specially trained to do ultrasounds will do the ultrasound procedure.  At CAPC, ultrasounds are done by our two nurses who are under the supervision of our medical director.  The report from the ultrasound will be read and signed by the doctor.