Why get ultrasound in early pregnancy?

What can you actually see in early pregnancy? Cells and tissue? Why look at that?

Well, as early as six weeks, you can see a tiny beating heart. You can see whether or not the developing baby is attached well in the uterus. You can see if the placenta is normal and whether implantation is even in the uterus. You can also tell (within a range of about four days) exactly how far along in your pregnancy you are. Keep in mind that when you first miss your period, your baby has already developed a few weeks and sometimes it's tough to know how much.

Still, is there any other point to having it done?

Yes, it's important to know if your developing baby is viable or not- meaning that it cannot be successfully carried through pregnancy. For example, if the tiny baby is not actually in your uterus, he will not survive. Some conditions are dangerous when the embryo has implanted in the wrong place, such as in a fallopian tube. That's called ectopic pregnancy and that requires emergency medical treatment. Other times, you can see that there is an abnormal placenta and know that you will naturally miscarry. The nurse can also tell how far along you are in pregnancy and whether the developing baby is normal. Sometimes, it's not and the nurse can tell that it will not survive.

Many women schedule abortions without seeing an ultrasound, so they pay for a procedure that didn't need to be done to begin with, since they would have miscarried anyway. Ultrasound can save you a lot of expense, trouble and possible trauma.

If you are pregnant and the pregnancy is proceeding normally, the nurse will write a referral for you to get on the Oregon Health Plan, which you will be eligible for, due to pregnancy.

Look at ultrasounds from 4 weeks onward

Our reference source for this article

(Note: The picture above is of a twelve week old developing baby.)

If you're interested in a free ultrasound, call or come by 1st Way. We have four registered nurses certified in ultrasound who work various shifts, and if you pass a pregnancy test at our clinic, you can be scheduled for your sonogram.

Call, email or visit

1st Way is a nonprofit, nonpolitical and nonreligious voluntary service organization. We offer help to any woman distressed by an unplanned pregnancy regardless of circumstances. All services are free and confidential.

1st Way
1667 High Street
Eugene, Oregon 97401
Call 541.687.8651
or 1-800-848-LOVE

E-mail: firstwayeugene@gmail.com

A Mom? Pregnant? Thinking of Attending Lane Community College?

Did you know that 46% of all college students attend community college?

Nearly half (48%) of community college students have either been pregnant or gotten someone pregnant.

15% of all community college students are single parents.

So, if you are a college student, it's likely that you go to community college and have some experience with pregnancy.

Around a quarter of young people do.
(Stats from-  http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/resources/pdf/briefly-unplanned-pregnancy-and-community-colleges.pdf)

Because services for parents are so needed, community colleges need to offer a lot of services to help women who want to continue their education while also becoming moms. 

So, what goes on at Lane? 

Parent Services
Information and resources for parents
http://www.lanecc.edu/lfc/parent-services

Click on the last link in the orange block, "Lane County Resource Centers" for a comprehensive list of "support and activities for families including: parenting education, play groups, information and referrals to community resources, family fun nights, school and neighborhood connections, computer access, after school activities and volunteer opportunities. Many offer service in Spanish." 

What about in Lane County?

Head Start- Child care at no cost
http://www.hsolc.org/


Parenting Education
http://www.lanekids.org/home

If you are faced with an unplanned pregnancy, come and visit us at 1st Way in Eugene. We're located close to the colleges and we offer free pregnancy tests and free ultrasound. We can also help provide you with information about different options you have and help you think through what to do.

Call us at- 541.687.8651
Visit us on the web- http://www.1st-way.org/

Some of the Best College Scholarship Programs for Moms

Did you know that there are lots of college scholarship plans that young mothers may be eligible for?

(1) Soroptimist Award
"The Women’s Opportunity Awards program assists women who provide the primary source of financial support for their families by giving them the resources they need to improve their education, skills and employment prospects.

Each year, more than $1.5 million in education grants are awarded to more than 1,000 women, many of whom have overcome enormous obstacles including poverty, domestic violence and/or drug and alcohol abuse. Women’s Opportunity Award recipients may use the cash award to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education, such as books, childcare, tuition and transportation.

(2) Scholarships for Moms
'This $10,000 scholarship is an initiative to help all moms who want to complete their education, but don't have the time, money or the support to meet their goal. Whether you're a new mom, single mom or working mother, our scholarship could help you get ahead."

(3) PEO International
 "The P.E.O. Sisterhood is passionate about its mission: promoting educational opportunities for women."

(4) Women's Independence Scholarship Program
"WISP is designed to help women obtain the money they need to attend college and earn a higher education degree. The program is suited for survivors of domestic abuse from an intimate partner such as a spouse or a boyfriend. The program prefers to award scholarship funds to those enrolled state community colleges, state colleges or universities, and technical or vocational schools. Those enrolled in other programs may also apply."

 (5) Lifetime Foundation 
A very unique scholarship fund- They offer educational scholarships in deep appreciation to birth mothers who have chosen adoption for their children. They have enabled others to experience the joy of becoming parents and created futures, not only for those families, but also for their children, for a lifetime.

(6) In Oregon, check out this website of resources for our state!

If you are unexpectedly pregnant and wondering if you will be able to go to or finish college, come by our office at 1st Way and we can tell you more about resources that can help you stay in school!

1667 High Street
Eugene, Oregon 97401

Call 541.687.8651
or 1-800-848-LOVE

Come Visit Our Local 1st Way Center!

Take a look at our local First Way Center! 

We're located at 1667 High St, near downtown and the University of Oregon. 

Walk-Ins Are Welcome!

 First Way is a comfortable place for a woman to go when she needs someone to talk to when she's wondering if she's pregnant.

We offer free pregnancy tests and free ultrasound. 


Come in and see us!

Call  541.687.8651.