How Does an Ultrasound Work?

May 28, 2026

An ultrasound is the next step that is recommended after a pregnancy test to confirm your pregnancy and obtain important details.

An ultrasound is a medical imaging technique that uses sound waves with a handheld device called a transducer to create pictures of what is happening inside the uterus and see how the pregnancy is developing.

At Women’s Care Center, we offer complimentary services, including limited obstetrical ultrasounds following a positive pregnancy test, so you can better understand your pregnancy and receive accurate medical information.

Schedule your appointment today.

What To Expect During an Ultrasound

An ultrasound is a non-invasive medical screening in which a member of our medical team will apply a water-based gel to your lower abdomen and move the transducer to create images.

In early pregnancy, a transvaginal ultrasound is often used because it can help obtain clearer images. You will be able to see real-time images of your pregnancy on the screen, and we will explain what you see during the scan.

The Two Types of Ultrasounds

There are two main types of ultrasound used during early pregnancy: transvaginal and abdominal.

A transvaginal ultrasound uses a smaller transducer, which is inserted into the vagina. This is often used during early pregnancy. An abdominal ultrasound uses a transducer to move across the abdomen, which is more commonly used in later pregnancy.

Why an Ultrasound Is So Important

An ultrasound is an important next step after learning you are pregnant since it provides details that a pregnancy test cannot. After an ultrasound, you will know how far along you are (gestational age), the location of the pregnancy, and whether the pregnancy appears viable.

These details are important because they can impact your next steps and available options.

An ultrasound can also help identify conditions such as an ectopic pregnancy, which happens in around 2% of all pregnancies. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus and requires urgent medical attention.

Ectopic pregnancy symptoms in the early stages can feel like a normal pregnancy, which is one of the reasons an early ultrasound is so important, as it can detect this condition.

In addition, an ultrasound can sometimes detect if a miscarriage has already occurred. As many as 26% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage. A pregnancy test can still be positive even if you have already had a miscarriage due to lingering hormone levels of hCG.

Lastly, an ultrasound tells you how far along you are. This is important because it estimates your due date and limits the options available to you. Medical abortion, for example, is only FDA-approved through ten weeks of gestation.

Get a Complimentary Limited Ultrasound at Women’s Care Center

If you’ve received a positive pregnancy test, the next step is an ultrasound.

At Women’s Care Center, we offer complimentary pregnancy testing and limited obstetrical ultrasounds. Our licensed healthcare professionals can also answer your questions and provide information about your pregnancy and available options.

Women’s Care Center does not provide or refer for abortions.