Frequently Asked Questions
What are the symptoms of pregnancy?
In addition to a missed period, the earliest signs and symptoms of pregnancy might include:
- Tender, swollen breasts. Early in pregnancy hormonal changes might make your breasts tender, sensitive or sore. Or your breasts might feel fuller and heavier.
- Nausea with or without vomiting. Morning sickness, which can strike at any time of the day or night, sometimes begins as early as three weeks after conception.
- Increased urination. You might find yourself urinating more often than usual.
- Fatigue. During early pregnancy, levels of the hormone progesterone soar — which can make you feel sleepy.
- Food aversions or cravings. Food cravings are common. Like most other symptoms of pregnancy, these food preferences can be chalked up to hormonal changes.
The information presented on this website is intended for general education purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional and/or medical advice.
What type of pregnancy test do you provide?
Our staff will provide you with a urine pregnancy test that is as sensitive as those used in clinical settings (doctor’s offices).
Soon after a fertilized egg attaches to the wall of a woman’s uterus, a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is produced and released into the body. It usually happens (but not always) about six days after fertilization. If you’re pregnant, the levels of hCG continue to grow, doubling every two to three days. A pregnancy test samples your blood or urine to see if it contains any hCG — commonly known as the pregnancy hormone.
Why is an ultrasound needed?
An ultrasound can be used for a variety of reasons during pregnancy. At The Hannah Center we provide limited ultrasounds under the direction and supervision of a licensed physician to confirm pregnancy. A limited ultrasound may be done to:
- confirm pregnancy
- check for cardiac activity
- determine the gestational age of the baby and estimate a due date
- check for multiple pregnancies
- diagnose an ectopic pregnancy (when the fetus does not attach to the uterus) or miscarriage.
What should I do to prepare for an ultrasound?
In order to get a clear image of the fetus and your reproductive organs in the earlier part of the pregnancy, you may need to have a full bladder during your ultrasound. You should drink two to three eight-ounce glasses of water one hour before your scheduled ultrasound. You should not urinate before your ultrasound, so you arrive at your appointment with a full bladder.
What happens during an ultrasound?
To perform a pregnancy ultrasound, you will be instructed to lie down on an examination table or bed. An ultrasound technician will apply a special gel to your abdomen and pelvic area. This gel is water-based, so it should not leave marks on your clothes or skin. This gel helps the sound waves to travel properly.
Next, the technician will place a small wand, called a transducer, onto your belly. The technician will move the transducer to capture black and white images onto the ultrasound screen. They may also take measurements of the image on the screen. The technician may ask you to move or to hold your breath while capturing images.
A transvaginal ultrasound may be done to produce a clearer image. This is more likely to be used during the early stages of pregnancy, when capturing a clear image may be more difficult. For this test, a small ultrasound probe will be inserted into the vagina. The probe will rest against the back of your vagina while the images are captured.
The technician will check to see if the necessary images have been captured and are clear. The gel will then be wiped off and you will be able to empty your bladder.
Do you provide post abortion counseling?
Yes. We understand that some experience a sense of grief after having an abortion. Our post abortive peer counseling can be a one-on-one session or we also have group sessions available. Please contact our client services director for more information.
Are all of your services really free?
Yes, it is the policy of The Hannah Center to provide all services free of charge.
