Facing an unexpected pregnancy can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to let fear guide your decisions. An ultrasound can provide clear information about your options and help you make an informed decision.
This article looks at North Carolina’s abortion laws and explains why you need an ultrasound before an abortion. Keep reading to learn more.
Do You Have to Get an Ultrasound Before an Abortion in North Carolina?
Effective July 1, 2023, most abortions are illegal in North Carolina after 12 weeks gestation. However, exceptions can be made through 20 weeks in cases of rape and incest and through 24 weeks for “life-limiting” fetal anomalies and medical emergencies.[1]
Because of this restriction, you are required to receive an ultrasound before an abortion in North Carolina.
Why Is an Ultrasound Before Abortion Necessary?
An ultrasound provides clarity on two critical factors: pregnancy viability and gestational age. This information helps you understand your pregnancy options and make the best decision for your health.
What is Viability in Pregnancy?
A viable pregnancy indicates that the pregnancy is progressing normally and has the potential to continue to term. During an ultrasound, sonographers look for signs like a fetal heartbeat. This usually appears between 5.6 to 6.6 weeks of pregnancy.[2]
Getting an ultrasound before an abortion helps check for nonviable pregnancies. This includes miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies, where the embryo grows outside the uterus. These conditions need alternative medical care.
*Important note: Please be aware that this article is not meant to substitute for medical advice or treatment. The purpose of our limited ultrasound exams is to identify a pregnancy inside the uterus, detect the fetal heartbeat, and estimate how far along you are. If there is no detectable heartbeat, it may indicate a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy is occurring. If we cannot detect a fetal heartbeat during your appointment, we will provide appropriate referrals for follow-up care and treatment.
What is Gestational Age?
Gestational age refers to how far along you are in your pregnancy. Doctors measure it from the first day of your last period.
In North Carolina, knowing your gestational age is crucial because state law prohibits abortions after 12 weeks in most cases. Additionally, the abortion pill (mifepristone) is only FDA-approved for use up to 10 weeks gestation (or 70 days or less since the first day of your last menstrual period).[3]
Benefits of an Ultrasound Before Abortion
Receiving an ultrasound before abortion offers several benefits beyond meeting legal requirements. It allows you to:
- Avoid abortion costs. An ultrasound can help you avoid abortion costs if the pregnancy is not viable.
- Receive appropriate care. If your ultrasound reveals a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, you can pursue appropriate medical care instead of an abortion.
- Receive early intervention. Ultrasounds catch around 85% of ectopic pregnancies before a rupture occurs.[4] This early detection can be lifesaving to you. Your health matters.
What to Expect During an Ultrasound
The ultrasound provides important information about your pregnancy, including whether it appears to be progressing normally and whether there are signs that may indicate a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy. Your ultrasound will be performed by a sonographer, and your images will be reviewed by our Medical Director.
You are welcome to come to your ultrasound appointment by yourself or bring a guest, such as your partner, a friend, or your mother.
During your ultrasound, the sonographer will take the necessary images for the physician’s review and will let you know how far along you are in your pregnancy and whether a heartbeat is detected, if appropriate for your stage of pregnancy. You will lie comfortably on the exam table, be able to watch the ultrasound, and have the opportunity to ask questions throughout the appointment.
Your ultrasound is an important first step in getting answers about what is happening with your body and determining whether your pregnancy is viable.
At Queen City Pregnancy Resource Center, our trained staff ensures a compassionate and supportive experience, answering any questions you may have.
Free Ultrasounds in Charlotte, North Carolina
You don’t have to take your next steps alone. Our trained sonographers are here to provide the support and vital information needed to make an informed decision.
We offer free pregnancy tests, free ultrasounds, and a safe, compassionate space to explore your pregnancy options. Give us a call at (980) 999-5191 or schedule your appointment today.
Please be aware that Queen City Pregnancy Resource Center does not provide or refer for abortion services.
Sources
- North Carolina General Assembly. (2023, May 4). SENATE BILL 20 RATIFIED BILL. https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2023/Bills/Senate/PDF/S20v5.pdf
- Weerakkody Y, Murphy A, Sandhyala A. Fetal heart rate in the first and second trimester. Radiopaedia.org. https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-12798
- 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
- Dvash, S., Cuckle, H., Smorgick, N., Vaknin, Z., Padoa, A., & Maymon, R. (2021, January 29). Increase rate of ruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy during the covid-19 pandemic. European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7968738/