If you think you might be pregnant and are exploring your options, abortion may be one of the choices on your mind. Many women feel unsure about whether now is the right time for pregnancy. Some worry that having a baby will impact their school, career, or future plans. Since abortion is a permanent decision, taking a little time to understand all your options can help you make the choice that’s best for you.
Confirm Your Pregnancy
Before making any big decisions, it’s important to know for sure if you’re pregnant. A missed period can be a sign of pregnancy, but it can also be triggered by things like stress, diet changes, or exercise routines. If you’re unsure, take a pregnancy test for confirmation. Even better, get an ultrasound, which can confirm if your pregnancy is viable (able to continue), as many pregnancies end in a miscarriage.
Reach out to us, and we’ll connect you with a pregnancy center near you. These centers offer free, confidential pregnancy tests and may also provide free ultrasounds. They don’t perform or refer for abortions, but they can offer a lot of information on all your options.
Before moving forward with any decision, confirm that you’re actually pregnant. It’s common for women to be late on their period due to factors like stress, diet changes, or increased physical activity. Taking a pregnancy test and getting an ultrasound are recommended to ensure you’re indeed pregnant and to check the viability of the pregnancy, as many early pregnancies can end in a spontaneous miscarriage. We can connect you to a local pregnancy help center for free, confidential testing and support.
5 Important Health and Safety Considerations
If you’re considering an abortion, here are a few questions to ask yourself to prioritize your safety:
- Have you confirmed your pregnancy?
It’s important to be sure that you are pregnant; it is possible to receive a false indication of pregnancy. We can quickly connect you with a local pregnancy center that offers reliable, free pregnancy tests and other services that check the viability of your pregnancy. - Do you understand the risks involved in an abortion procedure?
Abortion is a medical procedure and does involve the risk of physical harm. You have the legal right to be informed of the type of procedure you will receive, as well as any potential complications. Ask as many questions as you need to make sure you understand all that is involved, physically and emotionally. - Did you investigate the qualifications of your potential abortion provider?
Find out the name of the doctor who will perform your abortion procedure and confirm that he or she is a licensed physician and a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist. Call and ask if the doctor has appropriate privileges to admit you to a hospital in the event that there is an emergency. Also, many states maintain public records about past medical malpractice judgments and settlements. Call your state agency (medical licensing board) to see if the doctor has been involved in any medical malpractice suits. - Ask how complications are handled.
Abortion providers may not provide any follow-up or emergency care should complications arise. Ask the abortion clinic if the abortion doctor has admitting privileges to a hospital nearby should you require emergency care. - Recognize that it’s OK to change your mind.
Abortion is your choice—meaning you can change your mind at any time. It’s OK to say, “I need more time to consider my decision,” if you are in the waiting room or even on the table prepped for your procedure. Don’t feel pressured to proceed just because you feel like you have to. It’s your body; you have the right to listen to your instincts.
Types of Abortion Procedures
1. Medication Abortion (Abortion Pill)
Medication abortion is typically an option within the first 10 to 11 weeks of pregnancy. It involves two drugs, mifepristone, which stops the hormone needed to sustain a pregnancy, and misoprostol, which induces labor-like symptoms to expel the pregnancy. Understanding the procedure and its risks is critical, as it often requires self-management.
Make sure you’ve had an ultrasound to confirm how far along you are and to rule out an ectopic pregnancy, as the abortion pill won’t work for this life-threatening condition.
2. Surgical Abortion
- Aspiration Abortion (First Trimester): This method uses suction to remove the pregnancy tissue from the uterus and can take around 15 minutes.
- Dilation and Evacuation (Second Trimester): Involves dilation and removal of fetal tissue using forceps and suction, often guided by ultrasound.
- Labor Induction Abortion (Late Second and Third Trimesters): This procedure involves inducing labor to deliver the fetus after causing fetal demise through a chemical injection.
Each type of abortion carries different risks, and speaking with a healthcare professional can help clarify these.
Know Your Options
Abortion is one option, but there are others, including parenting and adoption. Taking the time to explore all available options can help you feel confident and supported in your decision. (Take the quiz: Am I Ready to Have a Baby?)
Abortion Pill Reversal (APR)
If you’ve started a medication abortion but regret the decision, Abortion Pill Reversal (APR) may be possible if only the first pill (mifepristone) has been taken. APR involves administering progesterone to counteract the effects of mifepristone, and studies have shown it can sometimes successfully sustain the pregnancy if started quickly. For more on APR, contact the Abortion Pill Rescue Network.
Cost of Abortion
Abortion costs vary based on the type, stage of pregnancy, location, and whether anesthesia is involved. Prices range from several hundred to several thousand dollars, and some providers may charge nonrefundable fees upfront.
Aftercare and When to Seek Medical Attention
After an abortion, seek medical attention if you experience:
- Heavy bleeding (soaking two or more pads per hour)
- Severe pain
- Fever lasting more than 24 hours
- Foul-smelling discharge
Contact us and we’ll find a pregnancy center in your area that can give you a free and confidential pregnancy test. These centers don’t perform or refer for abortions, but they have a lot of information about all your options. Many of them are even able to give you a free ultrasound.