Trying to determine what to do with an unexpected pregnancy is never easy. Each woman is unique, and each has a different reason for considering abortion. However, keep in mind; emotional reactions to an unexpected pregnancy are common. You can go from exhilaration to despair in a short amount of time. A lot of this is due to the elevated hormones at work in your body.
Nearly 1 in 4 women is anticipated to have an abortion during their reproductive years, and if you’re considering abortion, you should have answers to your questions. This is why we are glad to help provide you with some information and solutions.
What does the abortion pill do?
Mifepristone, the first of two pills, blocks the hormone progesterone that your body naturally produces. This thins the lining of the uterus and stops the growth of the fetus.
Immediately to two days later, the second pill, Misoprostol, is administered. The doctor or nurse will inform the patient when to take it. Please note that you should never receive the abortion pill from anyone other than a licensed medical professional.
Misoprostol will cause bleeding and severe cramping to expel the pregnancy. If you start to see large clots of blood – this means the medication is working. These clots can be up to the size of a lemon and include visible parts of the fetus. You should know it is imperative to call your doctor if you do not see any discharge after 24-hours. In addition to this, following up with your doctor after the abortion. You need to confirm that the pregnancy no longer resides in the uterus.
Does the abortion pill have side effects?
Yes, there are side effects to the abortion pill, some serious, so please discuss these with a medical professional prior to the abortion.
Common Physical Side Effects:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Cramping (which can be severe at times)
- Heavy Bleeding (up to several weeks)
- Abdominal Pain
Emotional Side Effects (sometimes lasting a lifetime)
- Regret
- Anger
- Suicidal Thoughts
- Anxiety
- Depression
What should I do before an abortion?
- Confirm your pregnancy
As crazy as it sounds, you should confirm your pregnancy with a pregnancy test and an ultrasound. Why? Because miscarriage is a common occurrence and you could schedule an abortion appointment only to find out you didn’t need it because you’re miscarrying. An ultrasound will help identify if your pregnancy is viable. If your pregnancy is not viable, you won’t need an abortion.
- Get counseling
Don’t trust the internet to get you the help you need. Get professional help because you deserve it. According to the National Library of Medicine, “Women who have abortions are forever changed, either positively or negatively. This emotional change occurs even if her life does not change. Abortion counseling is an important tool in helping women adjust to this change. Current laws governing abortion counseling fail to address this fact. To remedy this problem, states should require all abortion providers to offer comprehensive counseling including pre-abortion, abortion attending, and post-abortion counseling.”
Where can I find a safe place to get help?
Why not come to Care Net Pregnancy Centers of NNY? We educate, support, and empower women and couples facing unexpected pregnancies with compassion and non-judgmental care. Life doesn’t always turn out the way we plan it, which is why our team of nurses, sonographers, and client advocates is here to help. In addition to this, all of our services are free of charge.
So, go ahead, make an appointment today.
Recent Comments