Why are crisis pregnancy centers saying they can 'rule out' ectopic pregnancy?

A billboard in South Bend, Indiana, advertises a crisis pregnancy center in 2021. The centers can look like medical clinics, but they rarely have medical staff working there. Taylor Glascock for The Washington Post/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Taylor Glascock for The Washington Post/Getty Images On Mother's Day, the Trump administration launched the website Moms.gov , which directs "expecting parents who are navigating difficult or unexpected pregnancies" to crisis pregnancy centers around the country. "Many centers offer pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, STD/STI testing and treatment, parenting support, childbirth classes, medical referrals, and material goods like clothes and diapers — at no cost to you," Moms.gov explains. There are thousands of crisis pregnancy centers across the country — around 2,500 according to a 2024 estimate from the Government Accountability Office. Many are Christian organizations; all try to keep people from having abortions. Staff are often volunteers who may or may not have medical training, and some wear scrubs or white coats and have clients fill out medical questionnaires. Many also offer free ultrasounds and tout the benefits of the test. "It's important to rule out an ectopic pregnancy or a natural miscarriage and find out how far along you are via limited ultrasound," reads the website of MyChoice Pregnancy Care Center in New York's Hudson Valley. …