Why are crisis pregnancy centers saying they can ‘rule out’ ectopic pregnancy?
Why are crisis pregnancy centers saying – On Mother’s Day, the Trump administration unveiled Moms.gov, a platform aimed at connecting expecting parents facing challenging or unforeseen pregnancies with crisis pregnancy centers throughout the United States. The website emphasizes that these centers provide a range of services, including pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, STD/STI screening, and prenatal education, all offered at no cost to individuals seeking assistance.
Among the resources highlighted, free ultrasounds are frequently promoted as a crucial tool for determining the viability of a pregnancy. The site encourages users to utilize these services to gain clarity about their situation, often framing them as essential steps in making informed decisions about their reproductive health. However, recent scrutiny has raised questions about the accuracy of such claims, particularly regarding the ability of crisis pregnancy centers to diagnose ectopic pregnancies.
The Diagnostic Challenge
Ectopic pregnancy, a condition where an embryo implants outside the uterus, poses a serious medical risk. When it occurs in the fallopian tubes, the potential for rupture can lead to life-threatening complications. Despite this, a single ultrasound is insufficient to definitively rule out ectopic pregnancy. According to medical experts, multiple imaging sessions and blood tests are necessary to confirm the location of the developing embryo and assess the risk accurately.
This diagnostic limitation has become a focal point of concern for watchdog organizations. Campaign for Accountability, a nonprofit group dedicated to monitoring the practices of crisis pregnancy centers, recently sent a letter to New York Attorney General Leticia James. The letter alleges that these centers may be misleading women by advertising their ability to diagnose ectopic pregnancies, potentially leading to the neglect of more comprehensive medical care.
“By leading patients to believe that their services are adequate substitutes for medical diagnoses, [crisis pregnancy centers] may cause women to forgo comprehensive medical care, resulting in their suffering grievous bodily injury,” reads the letter, shared exclusively with NPR.
The group’s investigation uncovered 100 instances across 49 states where pregnancy centers used language suggesting they could “rule out” ectopic pregnancies. These claims, often seen on websites and promotional materials, may create an illusion of certainty. In some cases, the consequences have been severe. The letter cites real-life examples from Texas and Massachusetts, where women were told their pregnancies were viable or that everything was fine, only to later require emergency treatment for ectopic pregnancies that went undetected.
Michelle Kuppersmith, executive director of Campaign for Accountability, explained the risks associated with such misrepresentations. “They were told that their pregnancies were viable or told that everything was fine,” she said. “And then later they found themselves in the hospital with an ectopic pregnancy that was not diagnosed by the crisis pregnancy center.”
Kuppersmith emphasized the importance of continued exposure to these practices. “We’re hoping that by continuing to expose this issue, that there will be additional attention to it, and that perhaps these centers will do the right thing and stop trying to make claims to women about things that they can’t actually do.”
Industry Response
The National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA), a membership organization representing crisis pregnancy centers, acknowledges the issue. In a webinar last year for The ProLife Team Podcast, NIFLA’s Vice President of Legal Affairs, Anne O’Connor, advised against using the phrase “We can rule out an ectopic” in marketing materials. “We really don’t like to see that language because it is near impossible to rule out an ectopic,” she stated.
O’Connor clarified that while centers can provide ultrasounds, they must use language that reflects the limitations of their diagnostic capabilities. She suggested phrases like, “We’re doing the ultrasound to see if the fetus is in the womb where it’s supposed to be,” which emphasize the role of the test without overstating its conclusions. According to NIFLA, the goal is to ensure that women understand the purpose of ultrasounds while still being informed about the benefits of choosing to carry their pregnancies to term.
Despite these clarifications, the issue remains contentious. The use of terms like “rule out” can give the impression of medical certainty, which may influence women’s decisions about whether to continue their pregnancies. This is particularly significant in the context of recent developments in reproductive rights. Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade four years ago, the availability of abortion medications has increased, and many crisis pregnancy centers now highlight ultrasounds as a way to assess the risk of ectopic pregnancy before deciding to take these medications.
For example, the MyChoice Pregnancy Care Center in New York’s Hudson Valley includes a message on its website: “If you plan on taking abortion pills, book an ultrasound to rule out an ectopic pregnancy.” While the intention is to inform, the phrasing may imply that the ultrasound provides a definitive diagnosis, which is not always the case. Dr. Jonas Swartz, a medical professional, noted that it is not medically necessary to obtain such a diagnosis before taking abortion medication. He explained that the process of diagnosing ectopic pregnancy requires more than a single imaging session and ongoing medical evaluation.
As the debate continues, the role of crisis pregnancy centers in reproductive healthcare remains a focal point for scrutiny. With thousands of centers operating across the country — approximately 2,500 as of a 2024 estimate from the Government Accountability Office — their influence on patient decisions is significant. Many staff members are volunteers who may not have formal medical training, and some centers may present themselves as fully equipped medical facilities, potentially misleading patients about the scope of their services.
While some centers offer basic medical care, they often lack the resources to provide continuous monitoring or advanced diagnostic capabilities. This has led to concerns that women may be directed to make critical health decisions based on limited information. The Campaign for Accountability’s letter underscores the potential dangers, suggesting that the misuse of diagnostic language could result in serious harm. As the conversation around reproductive health evolves, the accuracy of the information provided by these centers will remain a key issue for both patients and regulators.
