If you think you might be unexpectedly pregnant, it’s understandable that you may have a lot going through your mind. As you consider your next steps, take the time to find out all you need to know to make a confident and informed choice.
Get your questions answered about what to expect from your options – so that you can put your health and safety first.
What Do I Need to Know About Abortion?
As you gather information about each of your options, including abortion, be sure you are aware not only of what to expect and the risks, but also how that interacts with your unique medical situation to put your health first.
Medical abortion – also known as the abortion pill – is actually a two-dose medication process, using mifepristone and misoprostol. The FDA approves the use of this process for the termination of early pregnancies up to 10 weeks. Taking the abortion pill regimen past this point in pregnancy, however, could result in increased risk for incomplete abortion, infection, or other medical complications.
Seeking termination later in pregnancy requires a method known as surgical abortion, an in-clinic procedure typically performed by a doctor using some form of sedation. While there are multiple types of surgical abortion procedures depending on the stage of pregnancy, one of the most common is known as dilation & curettage (D&C), a procedure in which a physician dilates (opens) the cervix using medication or medical tools, and scrapes or lightly suctions the fetus and tissue from the uterus using medical instruments.
No matter how far along you think you are, you will first need to confirm key details about your pregnancy to ensure you are prioritizing your health and protecting your safety. Our professional medical team at the Pregnancy Resource Center of Central Oregon can assist you in navigating your decision and answering your questions through appointments at no cost to you.
What Are the Risks of Abortion?
Before taking your next steps, it is also wise to become informed on the potential risks and side effects of abortion. The Mayo Clinic lists the following as potential physical risks of the abortion pill: incomplete abortion, heavy and prolonged bleeding, infection, fever, digestive system discomfort, or an ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work.
Surgical abortion procedures also have associated potential risks and side effects, such as perforation (tearing or puncture) of the uterus, damage to the cervix, scar tissue on the uterine wall, infection, excessive bleeding, dizziness or fever, or severe cramping (according to the Mayo Clinic).
If you have questions about what these potential risks may mean for you – and if your unique medical background and needs may cause any further complications – the best thing to do is discuss your concerns with a medical professional. Our medical staff at Pregnancy Resource Center of Central Oregon can help you navigate these questions and concerns.
What Should I Find Out About My Unique Needs?
Because every patient’s experience is unique, the best thing you can do is to meet with a medical professional in person to learn your specific needs.
While a home pregnancy test is a good first step to find out if you might be pregnant, the next best thing you can do is to get your pregnancy confirmed by a medical professional.
It’s also vitally important to know key details about your pregnancy before making your next steps, in particular how far along you are in pregnancy (or what the gestational age of your pregnancy is). You can learn this information with our team at Pregnancy Resource Center of Central Oregon through an ultrasound exam.
An ultrasound exam with a medical professional can also help you determine if you are at risk for complications such as ectopic pregnancy – when the pregnancy is growing outside of the uterus (such as in the fallopian tubes). This condition can be life-threatening if left untreated, and requires emergency medical intervention that an abortion will not resolve.
What Are My Next Steps?
Nothing can replace an in-person conversation with a medical professional to ensure you’re getting the care that is best for you and your specialized needs. At Pregnancy Resource Center of Central Oregon, we’re here to assist you in finding out all you need to know to ensure you’re putting your health first.
Get your questions answered and learn all there is to know about your unique situation. Schedule your free appointment today – we’re here to help.
