How Far Along Am I? (And Why Guessing Isn't Helpful)
When a woman discovers her pregnancy, the first question she may ask is: how far along am I? This information sets the foundation for the subsequent steps. Whether the woman is contemplating abortion, adoption, or parenting, knowing her gestational age gives her the medical information she needs to make a well-informed decision.
Medical experts recommend having an ultrasound before you decide on any type of abortion. An ultrasound will confirm that the pregnancy is located in the uterus, ensure its viability, and establish an accurate due date. Gestational age is important because it determines which abortion methods can be used. For instance, a medication abortion may only be performed in the case of a pregnancy that has occurred within a certain number of weeks. Surgical abortion options depend on how far along the woman is too. Determining her gestational age in an accurate way is crucial since the patient may be given wrong information otherwise.
Knowing her gestational age will assist the woman in working with an adoption agency and getting the medical care she needs. She will know what family to choose if she selects the option of adoption. She will also be able to plan her hospital visit.
Knowing the due date will also allow the woman who chooses to keep her baby to schedule necessary examinations and take vitamins which are needed to prepare for the upcoming birth of her baby.
How gestational age is measured
The most accurate way to establish gestational age is a limited OB ultrasound. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, this approach determines the size of the fetus and provides an estimated gestational age accurate to within one week during the first trimester. This is crucial since a due date calculated on the basis of the last menstrual period might be off by as much as two weeks, especially if the menstrual cycles are irregular.
We at our clinic in Moses Lake provide the opportunity to get free limited obstetric ultrasound examinations once you’ve had a positive pregnancy test. The procedure is confidential and does not require any insurance. Besides performing the ultrasound, we’ll explain what your gestational age means in terms of your options: abortion, adoption, and raising a child.
What else do you need to know before making your decision?
Establishing the gestational age is only one part of the process. Before any abortion procedure, it’s necessary to eliminate ectopic pregnancy and check whether you have STIs because untreated infections may cause complications. This is why we include a pregnancy test, an ultrasound, an STI test, and a nurse consultation in the pre-abortion medical verification package. It is important for you to know these results before making your final decision.
Many women assume they are a certain number of weeks along, only to learn they are earlier or later than they thought. It’s very common. However, the ultrasound examination eliminates all the uncertainties about the pregnancy. It’s better to know the truth now than to make plans based on assumptions.
You don't have to do this alone
If you are trying to find out how far along you are and are confused, we can help you. All our services are free of charge and confidential. You don’t need insurance and your parents won’t be informed if you are a student. You can either visit our clinic without an appointment or call for an appointment.
Do you want to talk about your situation? Call or text us at (509) 765-4425. You can find our clinic at 1555 S. Pilgrim St., Moses Lake, WA 98837 (Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
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