Considering Having an Abortion?
March 10, 2018
You’re pregnant and you weren’t planning for this at all. You aren’t sure what to do, and you’re considering having an abortion.
This is probably a very scary, very overwhelming time for you. We want you to know that you don’t have to walk through this alone.
First, take a deep breath. Are you sure you’re pregnant? Even if you’ve had a positive pregnancy test, the way to absolutely confirm a pregnancy is with an ultrasound. If you think you’re pregnant, we can meet with you to do a medical assessment and see if you’re a good candidate for an ultrasound.
Next, take your time to think through your decision. You might feel like abortion is your only option, but you don’t have to rush into a decision. Here are some questions that might help as you weigh your options.
- Are you being led by fear right now? Sometimes fear causes us to respond differently than we would under other circumstances. Take some time to let your initial fear subside before you make a final decision.
- Do you have someone to talk to? Find someone who will listen and not judge you. Most importantly, talk to someone who won’t coerce you into a decision. If you don’t have somebody to talk to, our staff would be glad to be that listening ear for you. We’ll care for you as best we can, no matter what.
- Are you being coerced or pressured? If women are pressured or forced into an abortion, many regret it later because they feel like the choice wasn’t really theirs. We don’t want you to make this important decision because someone is pressuring you.
- Do you know what to expect with an abortion? Like any other medical procedure, abortion has potential physical risks and side effects. Before any medical procedure, it’s important to know what the possible side effects and risks are. Ask questions and do research on trusted sites so you’re educated about what will happen or what could happen to your body during and after an abortion. One of our advocates can help answer these questions for you.
- How pregnant are you? Your stage of pregnancy will affect the type of abortion you can have and how much it will cost and what risks are associated with it. An ultrasound can reveal how far along you are in your pregnancy.
- Does your decision line up with what you believe is most important in life? Take inventory of your own values and morals. Would an abortion line up with what you value and with your beliefs about right and wrong?
- What are the other options? We’d encourage you to make a list of all options — having and raising the baby yourself, having and raising the baby with the help of your support system, having the baby and placing the baby for adoption, or having an abortion. Consider making a list of the pros and cons of each option. Have a trusted friend or family member or advisor help you with these lists. That person may be able to think a little more objectively about the pros and cons than you can right now.
This is a life-changing decision. You deserve to take all the time you need to learn all the information and consider every option. You also deserve to have someone to walk with you through this decision – someone who won’t judge you or pressure you, someone who has nothing to lose or gain from your decision.
At Collage, we really care about you. This might be a very frightening, overwhelming time for you, but you don’t have to face it all alone. We’re good listeners so feel free to call us to schedule a time to come in and talk with one of our staff members.
If you took the first abortion pill, it’s possible to start wishing you hadn’t. The regret may have hit you immediately, or it might have taken a few hours to realize that you want to continue the pregnancy. Either way, there may still be something you can do: abortion pill reversal (APR) may be an option. The first drug used in the abortion pill regimen is usually mifepristone. If you have taken mifepristone but now want to continue your pregnancy, call the Abortion Pill Reversal Network at 1-877-558-0333 right away. Their Helpline is available 24/7 and can connect you with a medical provider who can administer APR. If You Have Only Taken the First Pill Mifepristone works by blocking progesterone. Progesterone helps maintain the lining of the uterus during pregnancy. When this hormone is blocked, the uterine lining thins, and the pregnancy ends. The second drug in the abortion pill regimen is misoprostol , which causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy. Abortion pill reversal involves giving progesterone after mifepristone in an effort to allow the pregnancy to continue. Don’t Wait for Symptoms Before Calling You may wonder whether you should wait before deciding what to do. But if you want to try to continue the pregnancy, call first. It’s critical to start the protocol as soon as possible, ideally within 24 to 48 hours of taking mifepristone. However, you should still call even when more time has passed; it may not be too late. A medical provider can determine whether APR may still be appropriate. Does Reversal Always Work? Abortion pill reversal cannot guarantee that the pregnancy will continue. One published study reported ongoing pregnancy rates of approximately 64% to 68% with certain progesterone regimens, but individual outcomes vary. The important thing is to get medical guidance quickly rather than trying to determine your chances on your own. What if You Already Took Misoprostol? If you have already taken misoprostol, contact a healthcare professional promptly and explain exactly what you took and when. You should also seek immediate medical attention if you develop symptoms that concern you or believe you may be experiencing a medical emergency. Make the Call Now Changing your mind after taking mifepristone can be frightening, especially when you’re unsure whether there is still time to act. You don’t need to figure that out yourself. Call the Abortion Pill Reversal Network at 1-877-558-0333 as soon as possible and tell them when you took mifepristone. They can explain whether abortion pill reversal may still be an option and connect you with an appropriate provider. You can also contact Collage if you need someone to speak with while you work through your next steps. We’re here to help you. *Collage does not provide or refer for abortions; however, we do offer pre-abortion screening through our no-cost services. **All abortion information in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.
Seeing another positive pregnancy test after having had a past abortion may bring up memories or emotions from that experience. If you already know you don’t want another abortion, you may be wondering what other choices you have and whether either feels realistic for your life right now. You have time to learn about your options and the available support. Collage is here to give you a place to discuss your circumstances so you can decide what’s right for you. Schedule a no-cost appointment today to learn more about your pregnancy and what your next steps could look like. And read on to learn more about your pregnancy options besides abortion. Consider What Parenting Would Require You may want to parent but have concerns about whether you can make it work. Finances, housing, childcare, your relationship, work, or school can all influence how possible this option feels right now. Before deciding that those challenges make parenting unrealistic, it can help to identify your biggest concerns individually. Some of those concerns may have solutions you haven’t considered yet. Think about the support you already have, along with what you would need during pregnancy and after your baby arrives. Knowing where the gaps are can make it easier to find resources rather than trying to solve everything at once. Learn More About Adoption If you don’t want another abortion but aren’t ready to parent, adoption is another option. Today, a woman making an adoption plan can have a significant role in deciding what that plan looks like. Depending on the type of adoption, you may be able to choose an adoptive family and decide what level of contact you would like after placement. Open, semi-open, and closed adoption offer different levels of communication and privacy. Speaking with a licensed adoption professional can help you understand these differences, your rights, and what the process would involve before you make any commitments. Discuss Your Options in a Confidential Space Having had an abortion before does not mean you have to make the same pregnancy decision again. Your feelings, circumstances, priorities, or perspective may be different this time. If you know you don’t want another abortion, start by learning what parenting and adoption could realistically look like in your current situation. Collage provides a place to talk about your pregnancy and the concerns influencing your decision. We can also connect you with adoption agencies and community organizations that provide the support you’re seeking. Reaching out doesn’t lock you into a specific decision. Schedule a no-cost appointment with Collage today to get your questions answered and explore the options available to you. Collage does not provide or refer for abortions; however, we do offer pre-abortion screening through our no-cost services.
If your girlfriend is facing an unexpected pregnancy and considering the abortion pill, you're probably wondering about costs and whether insurance will cover it.
