Are you recently pregnant and considering an abortion? Finding yourself unexpectedly pregnant can be overwhelming. Take a deep breath. We’re here for you. It’s important to understand all of your options in order to make the best decision for your unique situation. Before proceeding with an abortion, you will want to understand everything involved in the process.
Confirm Your Positive Pregnancy Test
It may seem redundant, but you will want to confirm you are pregnant before beginning the process of abortion. At-home pregnancy tests can produce a false negative, giving a “not pregnant” reading when in fact you are pregnant, if taken too early. According to the Mayo Clinic, women should wait until after the first day of a missed period to take a pregnancy test.
Receive an Ultrasound
Ultrasounds provide critical information about your pregnancy. Before undergoing an abortion, you will want to schedule an ultrasound for these reasons:
How Far Along Your Pregnancy Is
Determining how many weeks pregnant you are allows you to receive proper care. Medication abortions, more commonly known as the abortion pill, are only effective within the first 9 weeks of pregnancy. Scheduling an ultrasound will show you exactly how many weeks your fetus is and provide you with more options moving forward.
Location
Did you know some pregnancies can actually develop outside of the uterus? This is known as an Ectopic pregnancy. According to the ACOG, more than 90% of ectopic pregnancies develop in the fallopian tubes. The abortion pill is not effective in terminating ectopic pregnancies and if left undetected, ectopic pregnancies can cause life-threatening hemorrhaging to the mother.
Viability
Viability refers to a fetus being alive and growing. More than 10-20% of all pregnancies end in spontaneous miscarriage, so you will want to confirm you have not miscarried before moving ahead with any kind of an abortion.
Test for STDs
Even if you aren’t experiencing any STD symptoms, it is still important to get tested. Some STDs can occur without causing any symptoms. Chlamydia is one such STD. According to the CDC, Chlamydia can occur without symptoms and if left undetected, can cause harm to a woman’s reproductive organs and her ability to have a healthy pregnancy in the future.
We’re Here For You
With support comes peace. Finding people to walk with you during times of uncertainty is so critical for your mental health. We provide free and confidential services to support you and your pregnancy. Reach out today!