How Does an Ultrasound Work?

October 9, 2025

If you’re facing an unexpected pregnancy, it’s natural to focus on your next steps and wonder if an ultrasound is even necessary, especially if you’re considering abortion. Since a home pregnancy test already gave you a result, it can feel like you have enough information. However, an ultrasound goes further by providing critical details about your health and pregnancy that no at-home test can give.

At Colorado Springs Pregnancy Center, we offer limited OB ultrasounds to individuals who have received a positive pregnancy test at our center. These services are offered free of charge. Our goal is to provide you with clear answers in a private and supportive setting, so that you can make a fully informed decision.

Schedule an appointment today to get started.

What Happens During an Ultrasound

An ultrasound uses sound waves—not radiation—to generate images of what is happening inside your body. A small device called a transducer sends sound waves into the body and turns those echoes into live images on a screen.

Medical professionals sometimes recommend a transvaginal ultrasound in the earliest stages of pregnancy. This kind of ultrasound involves placing a small transducer inside the vagina to capture clear pictures when the pregnancy is still very small.

For most women, especially as the pregnancy progresses, an abdominal ultrasound is sufficient. For this scan, the ultrasound technician will apply gel to your stomach and move the transducer across the surface of your skin to produce images of the uterus and pregnancy.

Why an Ultrasound Matters

An ultrasound can provide essential medical details that a pregnancy test alone cannot confirm, such as gestational age, where the pregnancy is located, and if the pregnancy is viable.

Gestational Age

The ultrasound scan estimates how far along you are, which is critical when considering your options. The abortion pill, for example, is only FDA-approved through the first 10 weeks of pregnancy.

Location of the Pregnancy

An ultrasound will reveal whether the pregnancy is in the uterus or if it is ectopic (outside the uterus), which can be dangerous if left untreated.

Viability

An ultrasound also helps determine whether the pregnancy is developing as expected. Since about 1 in 4 pregnancies can end in miscarriage, this information helps guide the next steps for your health.

Even if you are unsure of your plans or you’re pretty sure you want an abortion, these details are important for your safety and peace of mind.

No-Cost Support You Can Trust

At Colorado Springs Pregnancy Center, our ultrasounds are completely free of charge for women who receive a positive pregnancy test at our center. During your appointment, a trained medical professional will explain the procedure, review the results with you, and take time to answer any questions you may have.

You deserve accurate medical information in a caring and private setting. Schedule your appointment today to get the answers you need and move forward with confidence.

Colorado Springs Pregnancy Center does not provide or refer for abortions.

All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.