“After the test came back positive, I wondered what comes next for me. My whole life has changed. I don’t know what to do next.”
This is a common feeling after reading a positive pregnancy test. The next step to take is getting an ultrasound. Why is it important?
1. Determine Viability
While the test may be positive, it could be false. Getting an ultrasound is the only way to really see what’s going on in your body.
2. Determine Safety
Without getting an ultrasound, you could have an ectopic pregnancy without realizing. An ectopic pregnancy is when the fertilized egg implants in a place outside of the uterus, typically in the fallopian tubes. This can be life-threatening if the tube bursts. For this reason, it is absolutely essential to make sure your body is safe.
Signs of ectopic pregnancy:
● Light bleeding
● Pain in pelvis
● Shoulder pain- if blood leaks from fallopian tubes
● Dizziness or fainting
Please know that many of these symptoms occur during early stages of pregnancy. If you have or believe you have an ectopic pregnancy it is important to get seen by a doctor immediately. An ultrasound will ensure your safety in the meantime.
At Care Net, our ultrasounds are free of cost. We will have our clinical nurse manager and a client advocate with you during the ultrasound to discuss your options. The ultrasound will be done by our RDMS and will be read by our doctor. We do limit ultrasound to just one scan to determine viability, before you set up with an OBGYN.
Cited source- Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (n.d.). Ectopic pregnancy. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/symptoms-causes/syc-20372 088?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=abstract&utm_content=Ectopic-pregnancy&utm_camp aign=Knowledge-panel