What to Know If You’re Considering an Abortion?
Abortion is a procedure that comes with risks to your physical and mental health—-which is why it’s critical to learn all you can before choosing this option.
This article will help you cut through the noise to get the facts by giving you the top three things you need to know if you’re considering abortion. However, if you’re looking for a safe space to learn more, contact us today. All appointments and resources are free and confidential.
1. Abortion Can Affect Your Mental Health
Some women feel immediate relief after an abortion. However, for other women, abortion creates difficult mental health challenges. This is especially true if you feel at all pressured into having an abortion.
According to the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons, almost 75% of women who had an abortion felt at least subtly pressured into making the decision—and many of these women suffered psychological effects afterward, including “depression (14.4%), guilt (14%), shame, regret, self-hatred, feelings of worthlessness, feelings of being unworthy of love, drug or alcohol addiction (9%), low self-esteem, anxiety, and thoughts or attempts of suicide (6.2%).”
Furthermore, if you’re thinking about the abortion pill, it’s important to know that the pregnancy will pass while you’re at home—and seeing this occur can be distressing for some women.
2. Abortion Comes with Physical Risks
There are two types of abortion: medical and surgical. And each type comes with unique risks.
Medical Abortion
Medical abortion involves taking two powerful drugs at home. After taking these drugs, you will experience vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping. The pain can range from mild to excruciating.
You might also experience a risk, which is rare but potentially life-threatening and includes:
- Incomplete abortion, which is when parts of the terminated pregnancy remain in your uterus (this can quickly lead to an infection)
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortion is done in a clinic. The procedure involves dilating the cervix so that medical instruments (like strong suction and scraping instruments) can enter the uterus to terminate and remove the pregnancy.
Physical risks associated with surgical abortion include:
- Uterine perforation (which is when one of the medical instruments pokes a hole in your uterus)
- Uterine scarring (which can lead to painful periods or future infertility)
- Cervical damage
- Infection
3. Ultrasound Will Help Protect Your Health
An ultrasound reveals three critical details you need to know before seeking an abortion. This includes:
- Gestational age of your pregnancy. As you’re considering your pregnancy options, you need to know your pregnancy’s age—and things like period tracker apps aren’t enough to determine this detail.
- Location of your pregnancy. Most pregnancies develop inside the uterus. However, on rare occasions, a pregnancy will develop outside the uterus. This is a life-threatening situation known as ectopic pregnancy, and it requires emergency medical care.
- Viability of your pregnancy. Roughly 26% of pregnancies end in miscarriage, and it’s possible to experience one and not know it. If you’ve experienced a miscarriage, you will need to follow up with a qualified physician.
We’re Here for You
At Assure Women’s Center, we understand what you’re going through—but you’re not alone in this. We’re here for you.
Before seeking an abortion, schedule your appointment for a free, limited ultrasound and to make sure all your questions are answered.
