An unexpected pregnancy can feel overwhelming. Knowing what steps to take next is important. One way to make an informed decision is to determine whether your pregnancy is viable. 

Making a decision with confidence starts with gathering all the facts. Let’s look at why it’s important to know if your pregnancy is viable (even if you’re considering abortion), what pregnancy viability is, how to know if you have one, and what to do if you don’t. 

Please note: this article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional for medical concerns or emergencies.  

What is pregnancy viability?  

What is a non-viable pregnancy? 

A nonviable pregnancy means the pregnancy has no chance of survival. This can include: 

• Ectopic pregnancy – when the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, usually within the fallopian tubes. 
• Miscarriage – when the pregnancy ends naturally. 

Regardless of whether you plan to continue or terminate your pregnancy, knowing viability is essential for determining your safest next steps. 

 Marisol Health offers ultrasound services to determine if your pregnancy is viable. 

When can I confirm pregnancy viability?  

A pregnancy’s viability can often be confirmed between 6 to 10 weeks of pregnancy. At 6 weeks, a healthy embryo should have a heartbeat and able to be visualized through an ultrasound. 

If the ultrasound is performed too early, the fetus might not be visualized and the heartbeat might not be measured. In those cases, a patient may be told that the pregnancy is nonviable. It’s important to schedule a follow-up ultrasound in about two weeks to reconfirm viability, even if you plan to have an abortion. 

If you have a nonviable pregnancy, medical professionals will help determine the safest next steps. 

How does an ultrasound confirm pregnancy viability?  

An ultrasound looks at several things when confirming a viable pregnancy: 

• Location of pregnancy: to make sure it is inside the uterus 
• Cardiac activity: by approximately 6 weeks gestation, cardiac activity can often be visualized on ultrasound 
• Gestational age: to estimate how far along you are and give you a more accurate estimated due date 

What if I have a nonviable pregnancy?  

If your pregnancy is nonviable due to miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, different treatments are needed. Schedule an appointment with your doctor as they might want to do further tests to make sure the pregnancy is indeed nonviable. It’s never a bad idea to get a second opinion. 

Keep in mind, an abortion will not treat an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage. Having an abortion with an untreated ectopic pregnancy can be extremely dangerous, as the ectopic pregnancy can cause your fallopian tube to rupture and be fatal. If your pregnancy has ended naturally by miscarriage, an abortion is not needed. Instead, a medication or procedure might be needed to remove all of the tissue. 

Marisol Health does not provide or refer for abortions. 

Change your mind after taking the abortion pill? It might not be too late. Support is available 24/7. Please contact the Abortion Pill Reversal Hotline at 1-877-558-0333 or visit www.abortionpillreversal.com.”

If you are feeling suicidal or are thinking about harming yourself or someone else, please seek help immediately: Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. 

If you are in immediate danger or need emergency help, call 911.