There is usually no need for an ultrasound. This has been well researched scientifically. If you have a regular cycle between 22-35 days (3-5 weeks) and you know well when the first day of the latest menstruation was, then an ultrasound is not necessary to determine how long you are pregnant. You can count yourself or we can recalculate it for you. This is a useful tool to see how far along you are.
Also, you don't always have to rule out an ectopic pregnancy with an ultrasound. The chance of it is very small (3 in 10,000) and through questions, the doctor can properly assess any increased risk and still decide to have an ultrasound.Besides, it is not medically necessary to know whether two eggs may have been fertilised, that does not matter for the termination.
An echo is needed If you:
- have become pregnant while using a hormonal contraceptive or IUD
- have ever had an ectopic pregnancy
- have had gynaecological treatment for ovarian or fallopian tube disease
- have had an infection in the lower abdomen (of the fallopian tubes and/or uterus), usually as a result of an STD
- are familiar with endometriosis
- currently have (severe single-sided) abdominal pain
You can have an ultrasound scan performed through your GP or midwife. It's important that your GP or midwife mentions that the diagnosis is "unknown term." In that case, you won't be billed for the ultrasound and it won't be deducted from your deductible. The reason for the ultrasound scan won't be listed on your health insurance statement.
You can send the ultrasound result to us. The ultrasound result (or the ultrasound photo) must clearly state your date of birth, name, and the term. To be sure: if you longer than 9 weeks turns out to be pregnant, we cannot help you. In that case, go to your GP or abortion clinic.
You can send the results to us in two ways:
- You had your never registered with us. In that case, go to the general registration form, there you can attach the result.
- You had your already registered with us. In that case, you will use the application form ultrasound results. On the scan result, it states the date of the scan, your name, date of birth, and the gestation period.