What Are My Second-Trimester Pregnancy Options?

While schools divide a year into two semesters, fall and spring, a pregnancy is divided into three trimesters. The first trimester is from week one to week 13, the second is from week 14 to week 26, and the third is from week 27 to week 40.

Choosing to Parent

Just because your pregnancy is unplanned, it doesn’t meIn Minnesota, you have three options for your pregnancy during the second trimester. You can choose to parent, make an adoption plan, or have an abortion. Let’s take a closer look at all three.

an it’s impossible to parent. You may be surprised at the number of resources available to help you.

Minnesota assists single parents and families managing financial strain with the following services, depending on eligibility:

• Housing
• Utilities
• Medical and Dental Care
• Food
• Childcare
• Emergency cash

At First Care, we offer resources personalized to your family situation, including:

• Community Resources
• Grants and Financial Aid Assistance
• Prenatal Classes
• Birthing Classes
• Parenting Program
• Baby Items (including diapers, wipes, clothing, equipment, etc.)

Making an Adoption Plan

If you don’t feel prepared to parent at this time, you may want to consider making an adoption plan for your child. You are in control of the process every step of the way.

You can choose the adoptive parents who raise your child. By personally selecting a family, you are able to decide the home and environment that is best for you and your child. There are different levels of openness that you are able to pick from. In each phase of the adoption process, you are supported and empowered in whatever decision you make.

Here are some of the benefits of choosing to make an adoption plan for your child:

• No cost for birth parents
• Continuing a relationship with your child
• Financial assistance for food, clothing, housing, etc.
• Counseling before and after the placement occurs
• Receive legal representation
• Ongoing support

Selecting adoption is a difficult decision, but the ball is in your court. By meeting with one of our Expectant Parent Social Workers, you can learn more about the process, look through family profiles, and communicate your preferences. Meeting with a social worker does NOT mean that you have committed to an adoption plan. You are able to change your mind at any point until the adoption placement is secure.

Having an Abortion

Your third option is to have an abortion. Minnesota law approves abortion throughout your pregnancy, so it is possible to have a second-trimester abortion.

We do not perform or refer for abortion, but we can give you medically-accurate information about abortion procedures, potential side effects, and the associated risks.

There are two main types of abortion: medication abortion and surgical abortion.

Medication Abortion (aka the abortion pill method)

• The FDA approves the use of abortion drugs through 10 weeks of pregnancy, which is only within the first trimester. An ultrasound can help to determine how far along you are in your pregnancy.
• The later you are in your pregnancy, the less effective the drugs are.
• Side effects include bleeding, cramping, fever, and diarrhea.
• Risks include an incomplete abortion, heavy bleeding, infection, and fever.

Surgical Abortion

• At 14 or more weeks, you may have a procedure called dilation and curettage (D & C).
• An article printed in the National Library of Medicine concluded that women having second-trimester abortions were more likely to report pain.
• Side effects include bleeding and cramping.
• Risks include infection, uterine perforation (the surgical instrument pokes a hole in the uterus), and heavy bleeding.

Visit First Care for More Information

Schedule a free and confidential appointment with one of our professional client care workers at one of our First Care locations. We can discuss your individual situation and all the options that are available to you.

All of our services are free and confidential. We’re here for you every step of the way.