An abortion is a major medical decision with potential physical and mental consequences. It is crucial that you prepare yourself beforehand. Find out more about verifying your pregnancy, protecting your sexual health, and getting the facts first. We’re here to give you the information you need.
One: Have You Verified Your Pregnancy?
You may think a late period and a positive pregnancy test are all you need to know that you are pregnant, but there is more. At-home pregnancy tests have different levels of sensitivity. The day you take the test and the time of day matters.
Did you know experts estimate that 26% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage? That’s one out of every four pregnancies! Because it takes your body time to return to pre-pregnancy hormone levels, you can get a positive pregnancy test days or even weeks after a miscarriage.
What Are the Steps to Verify My Pregnancy?
- Take another pregnancy test. We offer free pregnancy testing.
- If our pregnancy test is positive, schedule a free ultrasound. Only an ultrasound can determine if your pregnancy is still developing or if you have had a miscarriage.
- Learn how far along you are in your pregnancy (gestational age). Knowing the gestational age determines the type of abortion procedure you qualify for. Ultrasound can closely determine how many weeks you have been pregnant.
Two: Ensure You Protect Your Sexual Health
There are two things you need to know to protect your sexual health before an abortion. First, you need to know the location of your pregnancy.
Believe it or not, some pregnancies form outside the uterus. This is known as an ectopic pregnancy and is very dangerous. If the pregnancy continues to grow, it can cause life-threatening health problems. You cannot fix an ectopic pregnancy with abortion.
In addition to learning whether your pregnancy is growing and how far along you are, an ultrasound detects the location of the pregnancy.
Secondly, you want to get tested for a sexually transmitted infection (STI). No one wants to think about having an STI. And because many STIs don’t show symptoms, people avoid getting tested.
Getting an abortion when you have an STI can lead to another type of infection that could damage your sexual health. We’ll give you more information about the importance of STI testing.
Three: Get the Facts About Procedures First
Once you have verified your pregnancy, it’s time to get the facts about abortion. We can review procedures, side effects, and potential risks.
The FDA approves the use of the drugs for the abortion pill method through 10 weeks only (70 days past the first day of your last period). The Mayo Clinic recommends not using them after nine weeks (56 days). Currently, North Carolina law bans abortions after 12 weeks.
All abortions involve some bleeding and cramping, but how do you know when you are bleeding or cramping too much? Talk with a caring team member at APRCC to review the potential risks, like heavy and prolonged bleeding and possibly an incomplete abortion. You also need to be aware of the possible emotional and psychological consequences.
You deserve to have the facts beforehand. Make an appointment today. Schedule online or call us at (252) 338-1655. We’re here to help you make a confident decision for your future.
