3 Things Needed Before Abortion

February 15, 2024

Knowing what to do when you’re unexpectedly pregnant can be challenging. You may have already gone through your options and are thinking about abortion.

Abortion is a serious medical procedure, so before you make a decision, it’s critical for you to know the risks, get the necessary testing, and receive an ultrasound to safeguard your health and wellness.

1. Know The Risks

Before you consider abortion, you should know the risks involved. There are two types of abortions: medical and surgical.

A medical abortion uses drugs to end a pregnancy. The FDA approves this method through 10 weeks gestation (how long you’ve been pregnant.)

Here are some of the risks a medical abortion includes:

• Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
• An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
• Heavy and prolonged bleeding
• Infection
• Fever
• Digestive system discomfort

Surgical abortion is a medical procedure that involves dilating the cervix and then using tools or suction to remove the fetus and related pregnancy tissue from the uterus. The specifics vary depending on factors like the stage of pregnancy, and this procedure is performed later than a medical abortion.

Further complications can arise during a surgical abortion, such as:

• Perforation of the uterus. This occurs when a surgical instrument pokes a hole in the uterus. You may require a second procedure to repair it.
• Damage to the cervix. If the cervix is torn, your doctor can apply pressure or medicine to stop the bleeding or close the wound with stitches (sutures). 
• Scar tissue in the uterus. In some cases, you can develop scar tissue in the uterus, a condition known as Asherman’s syndrome. This can lead to unusual, absent, or painful menstrual cycles, future miscarriages, and infertility. 
• Infection. While rare, it can still happen.

2. Get Pregnancy & STD Testing

The first step in confirming your pregnancy is to get testing. It’s best to test on the day of your expected period. 

At-home tests are very reliable, but it’s worth noting that you may get invalid results if you don’t use them properly. Furthermore, they could produce false positives or negatives.

If you like, you can ensure the most accurate results when you come to Options for Her Pregnancy Center. We give you a free test with 99% accuracy.

It’s also worth getting tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) if you think you are pregnant. STDs can cause complications during abortion, so even if you’re considering one, testing is the first step.

We also provide this service for free.

3. Get An Ultrasound

A pregnancy test alone isn’t enough to confirm your pregnancy. An ultrasound is the next step to verify key details you need to know.

You’ll need to know specifics, such as the gestational age, to determine your options. An ultrasound also tells you the progression or viability of your pregnancy.

Lastly, an ultrasound will also determine the location of your pregnancy. You’ll want to verify you don’t have an ectopic pregnancy, a condition when the embryo implants outside the uterus and requires medical intervention. 

Get Support Options For Her

Before considering an abortion, take advantage of all the free services we offer at Options for Her. You can receive pregnancy testing, STD testing, and an ultrasound at no cost. Plus, our compassionate team can discuss all your options moving forward.

Contact us today to book a safe and confidential appointment.