Abortion is a serious medical procedure, so it is imperative to prioritize your health. While considering abortion, it’s essential to get the screenings and tests listed below to confirm your decision and protect your physical well-being.
3 Things Recommended Before Abortion
Before scheduling an abortion appointment, three things are recommended to ensure safety and confidence.
- Take a lab-quality pregnancy test.
- Receive an ultrasound.
- Learn about every pregnancy option
Keep reading to learn about each of the three steps.
First, Take Another Pregnancy Test
If you have already taken an at-home pregnancy test, it is beneficial to take another test to verify your results. At-home tests can be incorrect, so confirm the accuracy with a lab-quality test.
Also, many early pregnancies result in miscarriage, which is the natural and sudden loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week.
Sometimes, miscarriages can happen without you even knowing. Taking another pregnancy test and following it up with an ultrasound can bring clarity to the status of your pregnancy.
If you do have a suspected miscarriage, the next step would be to visit a healthcare provider to see if you require any follow-up treatment.
Second, Receive An Ultrasound
An ultrasound reveals essential information about your pregnancy that will determine if you are eligible for abortion and, if so, what kind of procedure.
A limited OB ultrasound gives a glimpse into the location of your pregnancy.
Unfortunately, there are times when the embryo implants outside the uterus. This type of pregnancy is called an ectopic pregnancy. It is nonviable, meaning it can’t grow to completion.
An ectopic pregnancy can pose a serious threat to your health. An ultrasound will alert you to whether or not you need to seek medical attention immediately.
Second, a limited ultrasound helps you understand how far along the pregnancy has progressed and which abortion procedure you qualify for.
For example, the FDA has only approved the abortion pill for use within the first ten weeks (70 days) of pregnancy. This means that pregnant women are eligible for the abortion pill within ten weeks from the first day of their last menstrual period.
Taking the medication after this time could lead to serious health consequences (most notably, an incomplete abortion).
Lastly, an ultrasound will confirm if you have a viable pregnancy. It’s estimated that as many as 10-20% of pregnancies end in early miscarriage. Even if your pregnancy test came back positive, you might have naturally miscarried before your ultrasound. The only way to know if you have miscarried is to undergo an ultrasound exam.
Third, Learn About Every Option
There are three options to choose from for every pregnancy: parenting, adoption, and abortion. Learn about each option before proceeding to ensure you make a choice you feel confident about.
While we already shared information about abortion, you have two more choices to consider:
Adoption
Adoption involves carrying your pregnancy to term, creating an adoption plan, and placing your child with a loving adoptive family. This option is affordable and comes with the satisfaction that you are providing your child with a bright future.
However, it still can be emotionally challenging and lead to feelings of loss.
If you’re considering this option, ask us for more information. We can refer you to reputable adoption agencies.
Parenting
Parenting is the choice of raising your child. This option comes with responsibilities, challenges, love, and joy.
While it can be difficult, it can lead to building a lasting and lifelong relationship with your child. Ask us about parenting information and resources. Local organizations are available to help make this option possible for you.
Visit AscentCare in Saranac Lake
Our staff will share accurate, insightful information to empower you to make an informed pregnancy decision.
Even if you desire to have an abortion, it is best to understand the risks associated with the procedure and the other options available to you.
Contact us about scheduling your no-cost and confidential appointment today. We look forward to seeing you.