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4 Things to Consider Before Scheduling an Abortion

If you are pregnant and are considering abortion, here are four things to consider before making any decision for your pregnancy.

#1: Am I Actually Pregnant?

In the pregnancy center world, “viable” means that baby is implanted in the uterus and there is a heartbeat. Approximately 8-20% of pregnancies end in miscarriage according to Mayo Clinic. It is important to make sure your pregnancy is viable so you don’t have to go through the unnecessary medical procedure of having an abortion.

Here at First Care we offer free lab-quality pregnancy tests and ultrasounds to help you confirm you have a viable pregnancy and determine how far along you are.

#2: What Types of Procedures are Available to Me and What are the Associated Risks?

There are different abortion procedures available depending on how far along you are. Take time to understand the medical procedures and potential risks involved. We recommend that everyone considering abortion read through the Minnesota Department of Health booklet which provides unbiased and factual information on abortion procedures and the potential risks.

#3: How Could an Abortion Impact My Future?

Many women say they experience a deep emotional impact after abortion. For some, feelings of regret or grief come right away. For others, these or other feelings come later in life; during a subsequent pregnancy, or after they have raised their children and are in a new stage of life.

No matter when these emotions impact a woman, it can be difficult to come to terms with the finality that comes with abortion. For many women, it’s not as they hoped; life doesn’t go back to the way it was before the abortion. It is important to think through the long-term effects an abortion could have on your life today and 5, 10 and 20 years from now.

#4: Have I Considered All My Options?

You have three choices when experiencing an unplanned pregnancy: have an abortion, place for adoption, or parent. All options are life changing choices that only you can make. Take time and make an informed decision. Whatever decision you make now will impact your future. Whatever advice you’ve been given, you owe it to yourself and your future to stop and give yourself time to process.

First Care offers free pregnancy options counseling. We will listen to your fears, dreams and uncertainty. You will gain a better understanding of your options and get the support you deserve.

Remember you are not alone!

Whether you choose abortion, parenting or adoption, it is a forever decision that will change your life. We are here to support you as you take that next step. Schedule an appointment to talk with someone today.

Reasons You May Be Considering Abortion

What are the Reasons Abortion Seems Like the Best Option for Me?

Often in life when we encounter something unexpected our first thought is, “How am I going to make this work?” At First Care, we realize that same reaction applies to an unplanned pregnancy. We recognize an unplanned pregnancy comes with a range of emotions including: shock, emotional numbness, disappointment, fear, anxiety or stress.

When all of these thoughts and feelings get mixed up together, we may look for an escape; a way to erase or undo the situation we find ourselves in. For some women, abortion feels like the only option due to their life circumstances.

Do Any of These Reasons Apply To Your Situation?

• You feel like you do not have everything in order the way you imagined before having children
• You might already have children and adding another child feels too overwhelming
• You may feel like things are too tight financially to have a child
• You may not have adequate housing
• You may be temporarily without a job
• You may want to finish school and believe having a baby would get in the way of your goals
• You feel like you do not have enough support from the baby’s father or your parents/other family members

If you are dealing with even one of the reasons listed above, it’s understandable why abortion may feel like the only way forward. But it’s important to allow yourself time to make a well-informed decision. Put your decision making in perspective.

Honestly Ask Yourself a Few Key Questions That Will Help You Identify Why Abortion Seems Like the Best Way Forward and Help Bring Clarity to Your Decision Making Process:

1. Why do I feel abortion is the best option for me?
2. Would I consider a different option if my circumstances were different?
3. What problem(s) am I hoping abortion will solve?
4. Would I feel differently about this decision 5 years from now? 10 years from now?
5. What concerns do I have about continuing the pregnancy?
6. Have I thoroughly explored all of my options – including adoption and parenting – and know what resources are available to me?

If your circumstances are the primary reason you are considering abortion, know that circumstances can change. Also know there are a variety of community resources and organizations designed to support moms in our community (including our programs here at First Care Pregnancy Center).

Schedule an Appointment

Schedule an appointment today to meet with one of our staff for Options Counseling to process your decision in a confidential and nonjudgmental environment.

What Will Happen at my STI Appointment?

Being tested for STIs/STDs is an important and healthy practice for anyone who is sexually active. First Care provides confidential, quality testing and treatment. You may be wondering what will happen at my STI appointment.

Here is What You Can Expect: 

Why should I come to First Care Pregnancy Center instead of doing a home test?

Taking a pregnancy test can be scary, so why do it alone?

At our First Care offices we use lab quality pregnancy tests that are 99% accurate. But finding out your result is only part of the process. All of the staff at First Care understand a potential pregnancy can bring up a lot of emotions. They are ready to listen to your fears and concerns while helping you identify next steps in making a decision for your pregnancy. Often our clients tell us how much they appreciated having a neutral third party person outside of their situation to talk with, someone who won’t judge or pressure.

Whether you are sure about your next steps or undecided, we will provide you with information on all your options and walk with you through the process of making a well informed decision.

The first step is often having an ultrasound to confirm your pregnancy is viable and determine how far along you are. Ultrasounds are offered for free at First Care Pregnancy Center with our medical staff who are not only experienced but sensitive to the many emotions you may be experiencing around your pregnancy.

Following an ultrasound, many women choose options counseling with one of our Client Advocates to look more closely at each option and begin making a plan for your pregnancy. This may be a single meeting or recurring meetings until you reach a point where you feel confident with your pregnancy decision.

So whether you’re excited about your potential pregnancy or terrified of that kind of life change, our door is open to you, judgement free and full of support for wherever you are at.

How to tell your boyfriend or parents you are pregnant?

You’re standing by yourself, holding onto a pregnancy test that reads “positive.” As the reality of the test result takes over you begin to feel overwhelmed by emotions.

Fear, excitement, shock, sadness, shame, happiness.

In an instant your life has changed in a big way. Now, how do you share the news with those closest to you?

At First Care, we recommend taking time to process the pregnancy. It is such a huge change and can feel overwhelming. No matter what you are feeling, remember that you are not alone and there are so many resources to help support and encourage you. 

If your partner was not aware you could be pregnant, it is best to share the news with them as well. It can feel so daunting to tell your partner that you are pregnant, especially if you aren’t feeling ready to be a parent yourself. If you are worried about how they will respond know they are probably as nervous as you are. Remember to take the news one step at a time, and talk to your partner in person if possible. It is okay if you don’t have all your next steps mapped out, for now just focus on sharing the news. If you feel that your partner is not as supportive or understanding as you had hoped, you can reach out to one of our Client Advocates. Their role is to help encourage and support you in the ways most helpful for you.

Sometimes the people we are most afraid to share news with is our parents. Questions like, “What will they think or say? Will support me or throw me out? Are they going to be mad at me?” will run wild in your head. But if your parents are important people in your life, no matter their reaction, you will want to share the news with them. Talking with them in person is best, even if you feel like you won’t be supported.

A lot of times fear can keep us from having open and honest conversations. So even if you feel afraid of how others will respond to you sharing about your pregnancy, we encourage you to take that first step!