--- title: Why Ultrasounds Are the First Step in Your Pregnancy Journey description: When you proceed with your pregnancy, it's vital to have all the facts. Confirm viability, determine age, and detect ectopic pregnancies with an ultrasound. image: https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/hubfs/nurse-in-scrubs-ultrasound.png --- [Skip to Content](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/helpful-advice/post/why-an-ultrasound-is-the-first-step-in-your-pregnancy-journey#main-content) - [![Call Icon](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/hubfs/Group%2013398.svg) Call | (802) 388-7272](tel:+18023887272) - [![Call Icon](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/hubfs/Group%2013397.svg) Text | (802) 883-3636](sms:+18028833636) [![Group 13402](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/hubfs/Group%2013402.png)](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org) - Show submenu for Services Services - [Pregnancy Confirmation](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/free-pregnancy-testing-ultrasounds) - [Abortion Info](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/abortion) - [Abortion Pill Info](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/abortion-pill) - [Parenting Services](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/prenatal-parenting-support) - [Support For Men](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/for-men) - [Miscarriage Support](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/miscarriage-support) - [After-Abortion Recovery](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/after-abortion-recovery) - Show submenu for FAQs FAQs - [First Appointment Expectations](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/what-to-expect) - [About Abortion](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/abortion-faqs) - [About Pregnancy](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/pregnancy-faqs) - [About the Abortion Pill](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/abortion-pill-faqs) - [Helpful Advice](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/helpful-advice) - [For Donors](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/donors) - Show submenu for Locations Locations - [Ticonderoga, NY](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/ticonderoga) - [Middlebury, VT](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/middlebury) [Make Appointment](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/request-appointment) Search Show submenu for Services Services [Pregnancy Confirmation](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/free-pregnancy-testing-ultrasounds) [Abortion Info](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/abortion) [Abortion Pill Info](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/abortion-pill) [Parenting Services](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/prenatal-parenting-support) [Support For Men](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/for-men) [Miscarriage Support](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/miscarriage-support) [After-Abortion Recovery](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/after-abortion-recovery) Show submenu for FAQs FAQs [First Appointment Expectations](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/what-to-expect) [About Abortion](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/abortion-faqs) [About Pregnancy](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/pregnancy-faqs) [About the Abortion Pill](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/abortion-pill-faqs) [Helpful Advice](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/helpful-advice) [For Donors](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/donors) Show submenu for Locations Locations [Ticonderoga, NY](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/ticonderoga) [Middlebury, VT](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/middlebury) [Make Appointment](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/request-appointment) Search # Why Ultrasounds Are the First Step in Your Pregnancy Journey ![Why Ultrasounds Are the First Step in Your Pregnancy Journey](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/hubfs/nurse-in-scrubs-ultrasound.png) An unexpected pregnancy can be a time of overwhelming emotions. When faced with a decision, it's crucial to have all the facts. While a positive at-home pregnancy test is a good indicator, it's not a definitive diagnosis. That's why the most important first step you can take is getting a **free, confidential ultrasound** in Ticonderoga, NY or Middlebury, VT.   An ultrasound provides three critical pieces of information that an at-home test cannot. This medical insight is essential for your health and for making an informed choice about your pregnancy.   ### **1. Confirm Viability**   A pregnancy test only detects the presence of the pregnancy hormone, hCG. It can't tell you if the pregnancy is viable or continuing to develop. Medical studies show that up to 26% of all pregnancies end in a natural miscarriage. An ultrasound can determine if the fetus has a heartbeat and is developing as it should. Knowing this information prevents you from making a decision about a pregnancy that may not be viable.   ### **2. Determine Gestational Age**   Knowing how far along you are in your pregnancy is crucial for understanding your options. An ultrasound provides the most accurate way to date the pregnancy by measuring the fetus. This measurement gives you a nearly accurate gestational age, which is essential for medical procedures and for planning your next steps. For example, some medical procedures, like the abortion pill, are only FDA-approved for pregnancies up to 10 weeks.    ### **3. Detect an Ectopic Pregnancy**   An **ectopic pregnancy** is a life-threatening condition where the fertilized egg implants and grows outside the uterus, most often in a fallopian tube. This type of pregnancy is not viable and requires immediate medical attention. An ultrasound is the only way to detect an ectopic pregnancy. A positive at-home test will not alert you to this dangerous condition.   ### **You Deserve the Right Information**   Your health and safety are our top priority. An ultrasound provides you with the medically accurate information you need to move forward with confidence. At The Women's Center in Ticonderoga, NT and Middlebury, VT, we offer no-cost ultrasounds in a safe and private environment. We are here to provide you with the facts and support you deserve, without judgment.   Contact us today to schedule your free and confidential ultrasound.      [![Logo\_TWC Teal Emblem](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo_TWC%20Teal%20Emblem.png?width=150&height=150&name=Logo_TWC%20Teal%20Emblem.png)](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/) **Get In Touch** [Contact Us](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/contact) [Make a Donation](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/donation) **Middlebury Location** 102 Court St Middlebury, VT 05753 [Get Directions](https://maps.app.goo.gl/X175iJGanxfwbiiw7) [View Hours](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/middlebury) **Ticonderoga Location** 94 Montcalm St Ticonderoga, NY 12883 [Get Directions](https://maps.app.goo.gl/mGgXLVisKFdrJEtn7) [View Hours](https://www.yourwomenscenter.org/ticonderoga) **Here For You** The Women's Center in Middlebury, VT and Ticonderoga, NY is committed to providing you with everything you need to make an informed pregnancy decision. We believe women and men have a right to get accurate information from a resource that will not profit from the choices and pregnancy decisions they make. All our services are free and confidential. The Women's Center is a 501c3 non-profit in the states of Vermont and New York. While we do not provide or refer for abortion services, we can answer your questions about side effects, what to expect, and more. We do not profit from any of your sexual health or pregnancy decisions. Contact us to learn more. The information on this site is for educational purposes only and should not be substituted for medical or legal advice. We are committed to protecting your health information. Please be aware that communicating via unencrypted text messaging or messaging services has some level of risk of being read by a 3rd party. © 2026 The Women's Center. 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