How Will an Abortion Affect Me Physically?
Feeling overwhelmed or unsure if you’re unexpectedly pregnant is normal. However, when considering the option of abortion, you’ll want to weigh all possible risks and side effects.
Read on to better understand what to expect if you choose an abortion procedure so you can make an informed decision.
What Are Common Side Effects?
Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortions require in-clinic surgery while you are under anesthesia.
The length of the process (including exam, recovery, etc.) can range, depending on the health provider’s recommendation, from a few hours to one or two days (but does not require overnight stays). Possible side effects after the procedure are cramping and mild bleeding or spotting.
Medical Abortion
A medical abortion involves taking two different drugs to end and expel the pregnancy.
The most common side effects of a medical abortion are cramping and bleeding. This is caused by the medication working to end the pregnancy and expel the uterine lining and pregnancy-related tissue from your body. Bleeding and spotting can occur for up to 30 days after taking the drugs.
What Are the Health Risks?
Potential Risks of Surgical Abortion
Risks of surgical abortion may include the following:
- Tissue remaining in the uterus
- Injury to the cervix
- A hole in the wall of the uterus (uterine perforation)
- Moderate to severe vaginal bleeding
- Infection
Possible Risks of Medical Abortion
The following risks are associated with medical abortion:
- Incomplete abortion (may need to be followed by surgical abortion)
- An ongoing pregnancy (if the procedure doesn’t work)
- Heavy/prolonged bleeding
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
- Infection
Potential Risks for Future Health
While abortion can have immediate health risks, it can impact your future health and wellbeing.
- A 2013 study found that women who have had abortions are more than twice as likely to have a very early preterm delivery in future pregnancies.
- Infants who are born prematurely have a low survival rate.
- Surgical abortion may scar the uterine lining, which could impact future fertility.
- One study discovered that women who had undergone abortions had higher rates of mental health issues.
Next Steps
At First Care, we offer free and confidential pregnancy services, such as pregnancy tests and ultrasounds. These important resources can provide you with key details that may impact your decision and determine your eligibility for an abortion. We are here to offer you support in a warm, caring environment. Contact us today!
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I’ve Already Had an Abortion and Don’t Want Another One. What Are My Options?
If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy and don’t want an abortion, you have other choices: adoption and parenting. Read on to learn more about these options. Or, if you want to talk to someone in person about your pregnancy, contact First Care to speak with one of our caring team members. You’re not alone in this!
Adoption
If you are considering making an adoption plan, it is important to understand all of your available options within this process. As the biological parent, you call the shots, so you can create an adoption plan that best fits your situation.
Your options include:
- Open Adoption– This means that there is open communication between you and the adoptive family and child. This communication can happen in person or via phone, email, or video chat. You also get to set the pace of the communication, which means you can have as little or as much contact as you desire.
- Semi-Open Adoption– Similar to open adoption, communication can occur between you and the adoptive family and child, but this communication will be mediated by a third party (usually the adoption agency).
- Closed Adoption– This means that you will not have any communication with the adoptive family or child, and they won’t know anything about you (except for limited medical information).
If you’re interested in adoption, it’s essential to speak with a licensed adoption agency to learn all you can about the process. Adoption can be highly rewarding but also emotionally difficult.
At First Care, we have our in house adoption agency New Life Adoptions and we have partnerships with local adoption agencies. We can refer you to them to have all your questions answered. Contact us today to schedule a free, confidential appointment.
Parenting
Parenting is another option that’s available for your pregnancy. While babies don’t come with an instruction manual, there are several key questions you can ask yourself to evaluate if this is the best option for you:
- Do I have a support system in place if I were to raise my baby?
- Where will my baby and I live?
- Is there a way to further my education or career goals if I have a baby?
- Am I willing to co-parent with my partner if he wants to be involved?
These may seem like many questions and details to consider, but you don’t need to know the answers right away! Talking to someone about this option and researching resources in your community can help you gather a clearer picture of what this choice might look like in your life.
At First Care, we offer parental education classes through our Every Family program that can help you feel more prepared to parent.
Next Steps
Ready to talk through your options in a safe, compassionate environment? At First Care, we offer free appointments where you can look over options, ask questions, and learn about local resources that are available to you.
We are here to walk beside you on this journey. Contact us today!
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How Will Abortion Affect Me Mentally?
If you are considering an abortion, an informed decision means you need to understand the emotional and physical risks.
While the exact connection between abortion and mental health is unknown, experts on both sides of the abortion debate agree that “abortion is consistently associated with elevated rates of mental illness.”
Each woman’s journey is different, but you should consider looking more into this procedure’s possible mental side effects.
What Do Some Women Experience After Abortion?
The National Library of Medicine Study states that “at least some women do have significant mental health issues that are caused, triggered, aggravated, or complicated by their abortion experience.”
Mental health is a vague term that can cover a lot of different symptoms; however, its scope can range from depression to PTSD or even suicidal behavior.
What Are the Common Abortion Side Effects?
While it’s important to understand the possible mental health side effects of abortion, you’ll want to make sure you are aware of the possible physical side effects as well.
Surgical
Surgical abortion requires an in-person visit to a clinic. The procedure is performed while the patient is under anesthesia. According to the Mayo Clinic, common side effects may last a few days and can include:
- Mild cramping
- Spotting or light bleeding
Medication
A medication abortion requires two series of drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol. One ends the pregnancy, and the other induces cramping to expel the fetus and pregnancy remnants.
Bleeding and spotting can occur up to 30 days after the procedure. Other common side effects include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Chills
- Diarrhea
- Headache
Options Counseling
Now that you know more about how abortion can affect you physically and mentally, you may still have questions or wonder about the next step.
At First Care, we offer options consultations where you can learn more about your pregnancy options and receive evidence-based information in a confidential, compassionate environment.
We empower you to make a decision you feel good about. Contact us today!
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I Don’t Want to Be Pregnant. Is Abortion My Only Option?
Unplanned pregnancies bring many questions and new circumstances that can be overwhelming. If you are unsure if abortion is the best choice, the other options are adoption and parenting.
Parenting involves raising your child yourself, while adoption allows you to place your child in a family that can provide a loving and stable environment.
Both options have their rewards and challenges, and it is essential to carefully consider the opportunities or disadvantages of each before making a decision.
Parenting
You may have quickly ruled out parenting as a choice for you but you owe it to yourself to evaluate parenting as rigorously as any other option. Some questions to consider are:
- Who is my support system?
- How would this affect my short and long-term career and education goals?
- Is my partner someone I could respectfully co-parent with?
- What would childcare look like?
The good news is that you don’t have to figure these answers out alone. Many couples who are trying to get pregnant suddenly feel ill-equipped when they find they are expecting!
At First Care, we are here to walk beside you and help find and provide support and resources to equip you to make the best pregnancy decision.
Adoption
One of the best things about making an adoption plan is that you have complete control over the details. Whether you continue to have a relationship with the child and their adoptive family or you want your information kept completely confidential, it’s 100% up to you.
The information below summarizes the typical adoption methods:
- Open Adoption– You have a 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.
The majority of adoptions are open because most women want to keep some sort of relationship with their child, but it’s important that you only do what’s best for you.
Schedule an Appointment
Now that you have a better idea of your options, you may still have questions. We hope you do because that is what we are here for! We recommend that you schedule a no-cost options consultation with us so that you can process, ask questions, and learn what local resources are available for each option.
We are here to walk beside you and provide answers and support. Contact us today to schedule a free and confidential appointment!
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Is an Online Abortion or At-Home Abortion Safe?
If you are in a season of life where you are not planning to start or add to a family, an online abortion can seem discreet and convenient, but there are a few essential facts to consider before pursuing this route.
Ordering Online Skips Important Health Screenings
One of the significant downsides of ordering the abortion pill online is that it skips necessary medical procedures, such as a positive pregnancy test and, most importantly, an ultrasound.
An ultrasound can confirm the age of the pregnancy. The age matters because the abortion pill is only FDA-approved up to 10 weeks gestational age.
It will also help detect certain complications, such as if your pregnancy is ectopic. This condition requires treatment other than abortion and can be life-threatening to the woman.
Roughly, up to 26% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage. An ultrasound can confirm the viability of the pregnancy and give you confidence in the procedures you qualify for.
You May Not Qualify for the Abortion Pill
According to the Mayo Clinic, there are several situations where you may be ineligible for an abortion pill. These include if you:
- Are too far along in your pregnancy
- Have an intrauterine device (IUD) currently in place
- Have a suspected pregnancy outside of the uterus
- Have certain medical conditions
- Take a blood thinner or certain steroid medicines
- Can’t make follow-up visits to your provider or don’t have access to emergency care
- Have an allergy to the medication used
As previously mentioned, ultrasounds can help identify if you are too far along in your pregnancy or have a pregnancy outside of the uterus (an ectopic pregnancy).
The Abortion Pill Comes with Risks
According to the Mayo Clinic, potential risks of medical abortion include:
- 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
- Digestive system discomfort
Next Step: Free Pregnancy Services
At First Care, we provide free pregnancy services to women in need. These include complimentary pregnancy tests and ultrasounds.
We also offer options consultations where you can discuss the results of your ultrasounds and how this may affect your options. Our center is a safe space to learn more about your pregnancy and what local resources are available.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
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Why Talk to Us About Abortion?
Dealing with an unplanned pregnancy often comes with stress and anxiety as you reel from the news. You may also feel a sense of urgency to find a solution which can compound the feelings.
At First Care, we are pro-woman. We believe every woman has the right to feel emotionally and practically supported during her pregnancy.
Read this article to learn recommended steps to take if you think you’re pregnant or practical resources we can help with.
Confirm Your Pregnancy with a Lab-Quality Pregnancy Test
Before anything else, you must get a confirmed pregnancy test. We offer these at no cost at our clinic if you haven’t already taken one from a local drugstore.
If you choose to take a pregnancy test at home, make sure it’s before the expiration date or
is not defective. These can yield a false negative.
If you are still determining the best time to take the test, we can also help you calculate this based on your last missed period.
Get a No-Cost Ultrasound
After a positive pregnancy test, an ultrasound can reveal other essential details, such as the pregnancy’s age, location, and status.
A pregnancy’s location confirms whether or not the pregnancy is ectopic. An ectopic pregnancy is located outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube, where it can rupture. This can be life-threatening if left untreated. Treatment requires a procedure other than abortion.
An ultrasound can confirm whether or not the pregnancy is still viable. Up to 26% of known pregnancies end in a natural miscarriage, so you can still get a positive test several days after taking an at-home test because hCG is still detectable. If you confirm it is a miscarriage, you will need a procedure other than an elective abortion.
Schedule Your Free Appointment Today
There is nothing quite like talking to a live, understanding person when trying to find a solution in this situation. At First Care, we offer no-cost options consultations where you can speak with our trained staff, ask questions, and learn about options and local resources.
You deserve to be heard and feel supported both emotionally and practically. Contact us today to make your appointment!
How Can I Recover Emotionally After An Abortion?
Every woman responds to her abortion differently. For some women, their abortion represents heartache and deep regret. If you’re struggling emotionally after your abortion, we have a program called Conquerors that offers healing and restoration. Find out more today.
Post-Abortion Symptoms
Studies suggest that 1 in 4 women will have an abortion by age 45. Although abortion is a common news topic, few discuss their personal experience at social events with friends. Most women choose not to say anything.
Are these some of the emotions you’re experiencing silently?
- Depression
- Nightmares or flashbacks
- Anger and bitterness
- Low self-esteem
- Suicidal thoughts
- Guilt, shame, or regret
- Emotional numbness
- Self-harm with drugs, alcohol, or other addictions
- Unforgiveness of self and others
It doesn’t matter if your abortion was 10 days or 10 years ago. The pain is very real.
You Can Find Healing
Abortion is rarely a quick and easy decision. When a woman suddenly discovers she’s unexpectedly pregnant, she may feel anxious, fearful, or shameful. If she decides abortion is the best way to handle the situation, her anxiety grows.
Are you someone who has kept your abortion a secret, chosen to stuff the memory away, but now feels a wave of emotions? There is hope and healing.
Conquerors
Our Conquerors program is a safe, non-judgmental, and confidential place to begin healing. Compassionate women, who have had abortions, lead the program and can relate to what you’re going through.
The Conquerors program supports men and women who have experienced at least one abortion and are struggling with the pain of that experience. This 9-week program offers healing through small, confidential support groups or individual mentoring.
Let First Care Join The Journey
We are here for you and honestly care about your journey through an unexpected pregnancy or past abortion. Talk with us about your situation so we can help you find the best solution for your future.
We have several locations throughout the Twin Cities and Rochester. Find the center nearest you and call or text to schedule your appointment.
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.
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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!
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What Are the Signs of an Incomplete Abortion?
If you are curious what an incomplete abortion is, a common misconception is that it is an unsuccessful abortion and the pregnancy is still developing.
However, an incomplete abortion means the pregnancy has been successfully terminated, but the fetus and pregnancy tissue have not been completely expelled. If left untreated, it can develop into a serious infection.
Read the article below, and if you believe you are demonstrating the symptoms of an incomplete abortion, seek medical care immediately.
What Are the Symptoms of an Incomplete Abortion?
According to National Library of Medicine, some of the symptoms include:
- Heavy cramps
- Vaginal bleeding
- Passing of blood clots through the vagina
According to MedLine, heavy bleeding can be some of the most obvious signs. You should seek immediate help if you bleed enough to soak through two thick full-size sanitary pads per hour for two consecutive hours. This can be caused by mifepristone, one of the drugs used in a medication abortion.
How Likely Is an Incomplete Abortion?
The chance of an incomplete abortion does seem to increase according to how far along you are in your pregnancy. According to a study conducted on almost 5,000 induced abortions, an incomplete abortion was the most common complication related to medical abortions greater than twelve weeks.
In Finland, of 24,006 adult participants who underwent a medical abortion, 10.2% experienced an incomplete abortion.
Next Steps
Your health should be your top concern if you are worried that your symptoms match those of an incomplete abortion. Don’t wait to seek medical care, because incomplete abortions can lead to heavy bleeding or severe sepsis, according to the National Library of Medicine.
If you have not yet had an abortion, we recommend first scheduling a limited ultrasound at First Care for no cost. We can verify the age and viability of your pregnancy, and screen for complications like ectopic pregnancy.
We offer complimentary pregnancy services, as well as the opportunity to learn and discuss all of your options. We are here to support you, so contact us today!
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