An unexpected pregnancy can leave you thinking about your relationship, finances, plans for the future, and whether you feel ready to become a parent. You may also be hearing strong opinions from people around you while trying to understand your own feelings.
Before making a decision, learning about your pregnancy, the abortion process, and the possible physical and emotional effects can help you understand what questions you need answered.
Sound Choices Pregnancy Clinic is here for you throughout this uncertainty. We offer free medical-grade pregnancy testing, limited ultrasounds, and information about your options in a non-judgmental environment.
You are not alone. Contact us to make an appointment.
Confirm Your Pregnancy First
A positive pregnancy test detects human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), but it cannot tell you the gestational age (how many weeks along you are), where the pregnancy is located, or whether the pregnancy is viable.
A limited ultrasound can help establish these details. This is important because an ectopic pregnancy, which develops outside the uterus, requires immediate medical treatment to prevent serious complications.
If the ectopic pregnancy ruptures, potentially life-threatening internal bleeding can occur. Severe abdominal pain, shoulder pain, dizziness, or fainting require emergency medical attention.
The abortion pill is also FDA-approved through ten weeks gestation. Taking these drugs without knowing how far along you are could increase risks.
Know the Side Effects and Risks
Medical abortion uses two drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol. Mifepristone blocks progesterone, while misoprostol causes uterine contractions that lead to abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding as the pregnancy passes.
Additional side effects may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, fever, and chills. Risks can include heavy or prolonged bleeding, infection, incomplete abortion, or an ongoing pregnancy.
A surgical abortion is a procedure performed in a clinical setting to end the pregnancy and remove it from the uterus. During an early surgical abortion, the cervix is gradually opened using medication or specialized instruments. The provider then inserts a tube through the cervix and uses suction to remove the pregnancy tissue. In some procedures, forceps or a curette, an instrument used to scrape the uterine lining, may also be used.
Afterward, women can experience abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding or spotting. Possible complications include heavy bleeding, infection, injury to the cervix, or uterine perforation, which occurs when an instrument punctures the uterine wall.
In some cases, scar tissue can develop inside the uterus, a condition called Asherman’s syndrome, which may affect future fertility.
Consider Your Emotional Well-Being
Every woman’s emotional experience is different. Some feel relief after an abortion, while others experience sadness, grief, regret, or conflicting emotions.
One study found that women who reported feeling pressured to have an abortion also reported more negative emotional experiences afterward.
If you feel pressured into a decision, want to continue your pregnancy, or are already navigating mental health challenges, taking time to think through your feelings may matter more than you realize.
Get Support at Sound Choices Pregnancy Clinic
You do not have to work through every question alone. If you are worried about finances, housing, your relationship, or which pregnancy option is right for you, more support may be available than you think.
At Sound Choices Pregnancy Clinic, we offer free pregnancy services to help you learn more about your pregnancy.
We will also discuss parenting, adoption, and abortion. We are here to answer your questions, provide accurate information about each option, and help you understand the resources available to you.
Although we do not perform or refer for abortions, we can offer a confidential place to talk through your concerns without pressure.
You deserve the information and support you need to make an informed choice. Request an appointment today.
Sound Choices Pregnancy Clinic does not provide or refer for abortions.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.
