Why Ultrasound Is No Longer the Selling Point for Abortion Seekers

For years, pregnancy centers leaned on the ultrasound as a primary tool, especially when medical abortion once required in person assessments and careful, regulated dispensing of the pill. However, the landscape has dramatically shifted. During COVID, regulations relaxed, making telemedicine and online abortion pill access more common. Women now often see that an ultrasound isn't required, even if it’s recommended. This means if your first pitch to an abortion-minded woman is “come in for an ultrasound,” you’re likely missing what she truly wants to know.

What She Really Needs: Abortion Education

An abortion-determined  woman isn’t typically concerned about “viability” or “gestational age”; she wants clear, guidance on what to expect from the abortion pill process. She wants to know what to expect from the process, the risks that matter, how to recognize warning signs, and how to care for herself if she chooses to take the pill. If you lead with education, “Here’s what you should know if you take the pill”, you offer more of what she’s seeking and have a greater chance of getting her through the door. And yes, alongside that education, you can still provide an ultrasound. 

Here’s an example of how this approach can be communicated during an initial phone conversation, one that leads with education while naturally opening the door to care.

Sample Script: At our center, we specialize in pregnancy confirmation and options consultations. During these appointments, we educate clients about all the ins and outs of the different abortion procedures and can discuss other options as needed. Specific to the abortion pill, many women expect to swallow a pill and have a period, though it’s more like an abbreviated labor process. We would educate you on what to expect from the whole process, what complications to watch out for, and what type of self care may be needed. We will also provide you with a free ultrasound, which is strongly suggested before making any pregnancy choice, especially one managed at home without the guidance of a healthcare professional. Does this sound like what you are looking for?

Modern, Concise Education Is Key

The goal isn’t to overwhelm her with risks but to provide clear, actionable knowledge. The education you offer should be robust, yet direct, delivering what she needs to confidently understand the choice she is making. In doing so, you meet her where she is, building trust and opening the door to deeper conversation, where she can process emotions, explore other options, and engage honestly with a supportive advocate.

Equipping Your Frontline Team

Pregnancy centers that want to remain effective in today’s abortion landscape must intentionally train their frontline teams for this shift. Programs like RISE offer training and well-crafted scripts that are essential to make sure your team is aligned with the needs of today’s abortion seeker. Through real-world scenarios, language guidance, and proven frameworks, RISE helps teams lead with education, build trust quickly, and create conversations that invite women to take the next step toward care. 

For more information on RISE live virtual training and resources, reach out ehale@lifeadvancementgroup.org or visit our site https://www.risecourse.org/pages/home to check out the easy to access video training courses.