Ultrasound

Essential Medical Information from Your Ultrasound

During your ultrasound examination, trained medical professionals can determine crucial information about your pregnancy.

Our ultrasound services confirm:

  • Fetal heartbeat
  • Pregnancy location within or outside the uterus
  • Accurate gestational age
  • Detection of multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets, etc.)

Why Is an Ultrasound Important? 

An ultrasound helps determine whether your pregnancy is progressing as expected and whether additional medical care may be needed.

Ultrasounds can:

Confirm Pregnancy Viability

A viable pregnancy means that growth and development are progressing as expected during the early stages of pregnancy. For example, at about 6 weeks gestation, the fetal heartbeat can typically be detected by an ultrasound technology.[1] This serves as one of the primary indicators of pregnancy viability.

Identify Signs of Miscarriage

Knowing whether your pregnancy is viable is critical because approximately 10-20% of known pregnancies end naturally in miscarriage.[2] Without ultrasound confirmation, you may not know if natural pregnancy loss has already begun.

Detect an Ectopic Pregnancy

Ultrasounds can also identify pregnancies that develop outside the uterus, known as ectopic pregnancies. These occur in roughly 1-2% of all pregnancies and can be life-threatening if not properly diagnosed and treated.[3] Ectopic pregnancies cannot be treated with abortion medications[4], making accurate ultrasound diagnosis crucial for your immediate health and safety.

Why Does Gestational Age Matter?

Knowing how far along you are is important for understanding your pregnancy and available medical options. Because cycle dates can be inaccurate, ultrasound is the most reliable way to determine gestational age. If you are considering abortion, gestational age and pregnancy viability are important pieces of information to have before making any decision.

Knowing your gestational age is crucial because the abortion pill is only FDA-approved for use up to 10 weeks from your last menstrual period.[5] Consider receiving an ultrasound at Marisol Health. If your ultrasound determines that you’re too far along for an abortion, our compassionate client advocates will help you explore all of your pregnancy options, so you can make the best choice for your health and future.

What to Expect During Your Ultrasound Appointment

During your ultrasound appointment, our compassionate medical staff will guide you through the entire process. We’ll explain what we’re seeing on the ultrasound screen and answer any questions you may have about your pregnancy.

Your ultrasound appointment will include:

  • Comprehensive pregnancy confirmation through visual imaging
  • Precise gestational age determination
  • Fetal heartbeat detection
  • Pregnancy viability evaluation
  • Detection and discussion of any pregnancy complications
  • Detailed explanation of your ultrasound results
  • Time for questions and discussion in a supportive environment
  • Written ultrasound report for your medical records

Our goal is to ensure you leave your appointment with complete, accurate information about your pregnancy status and a clear understanding of your individual situation.

What Can an Ultrasound Tell You?

An ultrasound provides important information about your pregnancy, including:

  • Whether a heartbeat can be detected -If the pregnancy is located in the uterus
  • How far along you are
  • Whether you are carrying multiples
  • Whether there are signs of pregnancy complications that require follow-up care

Schedule Your Ultrasound Today

No matter where you are in your pregnancy journey, you don’t have to navigate this alone. Our ultrasound-trained medical personnel provide the support and vital information needed to make informed decisions about your health and future.

Don’t wait to get the professional care you deserve. Give us a call at 970-818-5745 in Northern Colorado or 303-665-2341 in Denver schedule ultrasound appointment online today.

We offer flexible scheduling, including evening and weekend appointments, to accommodate your needs.

Please be aware that this article is not meant to substitute for medical advice or treatment. Our limited ultrasound examination is strictly for confirming pregnancy, detecting fetal cardiac activity, and estimating gestational age. We cannot diagnose medical problems you may be experiencing, pregnancy-related or otherwise.

Sources

  1. Männer, J. (2022, June 9). When Does the Human Embryonic Heart Start Beating? A Review of Contemporary and Historical Sources of Knowledge about the Onset of Blood Circulation in Man. Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9225347/ 
  2. Mayo Clinic. (2023, September 8). Miscarriage – Symptoms and Causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pregnancy-loss-miscarriage/symptoms-causes/syc-20354298 
  3. Cleveland Clinic. (2023, January 18). Ectopic Pregnancy. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9687-ectopic-pregnancy 
  4. FDA. (2025, February 11). Questions and Answers on Mifeprex. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/questions-and-answers-mifeprex 
  5. Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. (2025, January 17). Mifeprex (Mifepristone). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/mifeprex-mifepristone-information 
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