Unexpected pregnancy can come with a lot of questions. This glossary was created to help explain common pregnancy, abortion, ultrasound, and reproductive health terms in clear, easy-to-understand language. Learn more about topics like the abortion pill, gestational age, pregnancy viability, ectopic pregnancy, STI testing, early pregnancy symptoms, and ultrasound information so you can better understand your pregnancy and available next steps.
What is the Abortion Pill?
A simple explanation of how the abortion pill works, possible side effects, and why pregnancy confirmation matters before making a decision.
What Is a Viability Ultrasound?
Learn how a viability ultrasound helps confirm pregnancy development, heartbeat, gestational age, and pregnancy location.
What Is Gestational Age?
Understand how gestational age is measured, why it matters during pregnancy, and how ultrasound can help determine how far along you are.
What Is a Medical Abortion?
Learn what a medical abortion is, how abortion medications work, and what symptoms or risks may occur during the process.
What Is a Surgical Abortion?
Understand the different types of surgical abortion procedures, how they are performed, and what recovery may involve.
What Is an Ectopic Pregnancy?
Learn what an ectopic pregnancy is, common symptoms to watch for, and why ultrasound is important for pregnancy location confirmation.
What Is Pregnancy Viability?
Understand what pregnancy viability means and how medical evaluation and ultrasound help assess pregnancy development.
What Is a Chemical Pregnancy?
Learn about chemical pregnancy, common signs of early pregnancy loss, and how it may affect pregnancy testing results.
What Is Emergency Contraception?
Understand how emergency contraception works, when it is used, and how it differs from the abortion pill.
What Is Misoprostol?
Learn how misoprostol works during a medical abortion and what side effects or symptoms may occur after taking it.
What Is Mifepristone?
Understand how mifepristone works, why it is used in medical abortion, and why medical follow-up may be important.
What Is an Ultrasound During Pregnancy?
Learn how pregnancy ultrasounds help confirm gestational age, viability, heartbeat, and pregnancy location.
What Is an STI?
Understand what sexually transmitted infections are, common symptoms, and why STI testing matters for reproductive health.
What Is Pregnancy Confirmation?
Learn how pregnancy confirmation works through pregnancy testing, ultrasound, and medical evaluation.
What Are the Signs of an Incomplete Abortion?
Understand possible symptoms of an incomplete abortion and when medical evaluation may be necessary.
What Is a Subchorionic Hematoma?
Learn what a subchorionic hematoma is, possible causes of bleeding during pregnancy, and how ultrasound helps diagnose it.
What Is RH Factor?
Understand RH factor during pregnancy, why blood type matters, and how RH incompatibility may affect future pregnancies.
What Is Prenatal Care?
Learn what prenatal care includes, why it matters during pregnancy, and how early medical care supports healthy development.
What Is a Missed Period?
Understand common causes of a missed period, early pregnancy signs, and when pregnancy testing may be helpful.
What Is a False Positive Pregnancy Test?
Learn what may cause a false positive pregnancy test and why medical confirmation can provide additional clarity.
What Is HCG?
Understand what HCG is, how pregnancy tests detect it, and how hormone levels may relate to early pregnancy development.
What Is an At-Home Abortion?
Learn what an at-home abortion involves, possible risks, and why pregnancy evaluation and follow-up care matter.
What Is Abortion Pill Reversal?
Understand what abortion pill reversal is, how the protocol may work, and why timing is important.
What Is Cramping During Early Pregnancy?
Learn what may cause cramping during early pregnancy and when symptoms should be medically evaluated.
What Is Implantation Bleeding?
Understand implantation bleeding, common symptoms, and how it may differ from a menstrual period.