What to Know If You’re Considering an Abortion

If abortion is one of the options you’re considering after an unplanned pregnancy, you may already be looking into the abortion pill, procedures, costs, or where abortion is available.

Before getting too far into that research, a few details about the pregnancy itself that can make a difference. How far along are you? Where is the pregnancy located? And what would the procedure you’re considering actually involve?

Baywater Women’s Clinic offers no-cost pregnancy confirmation services and options information to help you make a confident decision. Schedule an appointment today to meet with a patient advocate and get started.

In the meantime, keep reading to learn crucial information before making a decision.

Find Out How Far Along You Are

The type of abortion procedure used depends in part on gestational age.

The abortion pill typically uses mifepristone and misoprostol. The FDA has approved this drug regimen for an intrauterine pregnancy through 10 weeks of gestation.

You may have an estimate based on the first day of your last menstrual period, but dates can be less certain if your cycles are irregular or you do not remember exactly when your last period began.

After a positive lab-quality pregnancy test with us, a limited ultrasound will provide an estimate of gestational age. At Baywater Women’s Clinic, ultrasounds are performed by an ultrasound tech and overseen by a physician.

Find Out Where the Pregnancy Is Located

A positive pregnancy test detects hCG, but it cannot tell you where the pregnancy has implanted.

In uncommon cases, a pregnancy develops outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube. This is known as an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy cannot continue normally and requires immediate medical treatment to prevent serious complications.

An ultrasound can provide information about pregnancy location. However, if you experience severe abdominal or pelvic pain, shoulder pain, significant dizziness, fainting, or heavy bleeding, seek emergency medical care right away.

Understand What the Procedure Involves

Medical and surgical abortions are different.

A medical abortion causes vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping as the drugs end and expel the pregnancy. Possible risks include heavy bleeding, infection, an incomplete abortion requiring additional treatment, or digestive symptoms like an upset stomach.

Surgical abortion procedures remove the pregnancy from the uterus using suction, surgical instruments, or both, depending on gestational age. Possible risks can include infection, injury to the cervix, or uterine perforation.

Knowing what to expect beforehand gives you the opportunity to ask questions about side effects, risks, and how your medical history may affect you.

Start With an Appointment

If you are considering abortion, you do not need to arrive already knowing exactly what you want to do.

Baywater Women’s Clinic provides no-cost, confidential lab-quality pregnancy testing and limited ultrasound services. A patient advocate can also provide pregnancy options information and answer your questions.

Schedule an appointment today to learn more about your pregnancy before making a decision.

Baywater Women’s Clinic does not provide or refer for abortions.

All abortion information in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.