3 Things Needed Before an Abortion
In some ways, an unplanned pregnancy is like an unexpected medical diagnosis. You’re shocked, this may affect plans you’ve made for your future, and you’re not sure what steps to take.
If you are considering an elective abortion, taking the following health screenings is important to ensure you’re doing everything possible to protect your reproductive health.
Lab-Quality Pregnancy Testing
Taking a lab-quality pregnancy test is the first step before anything else. Instead of relying on common pregnancy symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, or even a missed period, it’s important to verify your pregnancy with a pregnancy test.
At First Care, we provide free lab-quality urine pregnancy testing that is 99% accurate. You can be confident in your results.
We can also help you determine the best pregnancy test time.
Ultrasound
An ultrasound is one of the most important health screenings you can take if you suspect you are currently pregnant. This scan can provide you with the following information:
- Age of the pregnancy
- Viability of the pregnancy
- Location of the pregnancy
This information is vital because the age of the pregnancy can affect your eligibility for a medication abortion (which is FDA-approved up to 70 days of gestational age of the pregnancy).
The viability of the pregnancy will determine whether or not you’ve miscarried. Up to 1 in 5 pregnancies end in miscarriage, so it’s important to assess your pregnancy’s status to know whether or not you’re still eligible for an abortion procedure.
Additionally, an ultrasound gives you the location of the pregnancy, so you know whether or not it is ectopic. An ectopic pregnancy is outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube, and can rupture if not treated immediately. An ectopic pregnancy is not eligible for an abortion.
STD Testing
It is still possible to be an asymptomatic carrier of an STD, which means you may not have symptoms. If you have an untreated STD and undergo an elective abortion, this could increase your risk for complications.
At First Care, we offer no-cost STD testing and can recommend treatment options for you.
Next Steps
No one should feel like they have to face an unplanned pregnancy alone, so let us walk alongside you. We offer no-cost pregnancy services such as complimentary ultrasounds and options consultations.
Contact us today to schedule your appointment! We are here for you.
Learn More
Is Adoption or Abortion Right for Me?
If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy, you may be scrambling to look at what your options are, and weighing which is the right one for you.
First, take a deep breath and try to take some of the immediate pressure off of yourself. You have time to research, do your due diligence, and come up with a plan that makes the most sense for your situation.
If you have already determined that parenting is not an option for you right now, then this leaves adoption and abortion. Read this blog to gain more information about each option.
What Do I Need to Know About Abortion?
Surgical Abortion Risks
Anyone who is considering a medical procedure deserves to know if there is any type of risk, no matter how small.
The Mayo Clinic lists the following as potential risks of surgical abortion:
- Perforation of the uterus
- Damage to the cervix
- Infection
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall
Medical Abortion Risks
Medical abortion is FDA-approved for pregnancies under 10 weeks along. There are some potential risks to be aware of as well. The Mayo Clinic lists the following:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- An ongoing unwanted pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
Psychological Impacts of Abortion
Abortion’s impact on mental health depends on the individual woman. Everyone has different reactions, some immediate and some delayed.
While some women might experience feelings of relief, others might experience negative mental health impacts—especially if there is an existing history of mental health issues.
Some potential side effects after an abortion include:
According to one study conducted over a 25-year period, women who have an abortion have higher rates of substance abuse and anxiety.
If you have already undergone an abortion and are experiencing some of these symptoms, please contact our center for no-cost resources to help with post-abortion healing.
Abortion Expenses
Abortion can be expensive procedure without insurance, so it’s important to be aware of the costs upfront. Medication abortion can cost up to $500 and surgical abortion can easily be $1500 or more.
What Do I Need to Know About Adoption?
If you are considering the choice of adoption, then it’s important to be aware of the subset of options that are available within this choice. As the biological parent, there is a lot of autonomy to create an adoption plan that best fits your situation.
Some terms that are helpful to be aware of include:
- Open Adoption– You have an in-person relationship with the child and adoptive family. This makes up the majority of adoptions.
- Closed Adoption– You do not have a relationship with the child or adoptive family, and details about you cannot be disclosed.
- Semi-Open Adoption– You communicate through the adoption agency of your choice to exchange non-identifying information with the adoptive parents.
With multiple types of adoption, you can choose the one that works best for your needs.
Psychological Impacts of Adoption
Even if you decide adoption is the choice for you, it’s important to be aware that it can be hard. It is not always without an impact on your mental health.
With adoption, there is the possibility of developing feelings of loss or grief, although birth mothers may also demonstrate signs of postpartum depression as well.
Adoption Expenses
It does not cost the birth mother any money to make an adoption plan. In many cases, if you choose this option, your pregnancy-related costs can be covered.
Schedule an Appointment
This blog is a helpful starting point, but the options and information can still feel overwhelming.
We offer free appointments at our center and provide space for you to safely ask questions and discuss your options in a pressure-free environment. Contact us today to schedule yours!
Learn More