Every patient receives an initial ultrasound exam. The purpose of the ultrasound exam is to confirm that the patient is pregnant, to confirm that the pregnancy is within the uterus, and to "date" the pregnancy. Ultrasound is very accurate in determining the "dates" of the pregnancy (by convention, pregnancies are dated in weeks from the beginning of the last menstrual period).

Most of these ultrasound exams are done through the vagina. The vaginal wand or probe is only a little larger around than a person's finger. It is covered with a clean condom and ultrasound gel on the tip, and then it is inserted into the vagina. The probe is then gently manipulated until a clear image is obtained of the uterus and the pregnancy. Measurements can then be made that determine the dates of the pregnancy. The entire exam takes only a few minutes, and is painless. Women do not need a full bladder for a vaginal ultrasound.

On some occasions an abdominal probe is also used. The abdominal probe is placed on the lower abdomen in an area covered with ultrasound gel to make an ultrasound image through the abdominal wall. Of course this exam is also painless. One or more ultrasound pictures are usually printed for the record.

Ultrasound exams are done for every patient when they first come in, and then for all medical abortion patients to determine if the procedure is complete. Surgical patients may also have ultrasounds afterwards.

In unusual cases, it is necessary to send patients to the hospital ultrasound lab where more sophisticated equipment is available. This may be necessary to rule out a tubal or ectopic pregnancy, or to examine a cyst or tumor, or for some other unusual finding.