If you’re considering an abortion, use this checklist first. We want you to have all the information you need to be empowered to make the best decision for you.
Following this “before an abortion checklist” could save you the pain, inconvenience, and cost of an abortion. We care about you.
1. Make sure you’re pregnant
Try not to panic. Just because you are showing pregnancy symptoms does not necessarily mean you are pregnant. Before you begin thinking about abortion, first take a pregnancy test. Home pregnancy tests can sometimes be inaccurate, so it’s important to take one that is accurate. At Care Net of Puget Sound, we offer free medical-grade pregnancy tests that are 99% accurate.
2. Make sure your pregnancy is viable
Even with a positive pregnancy test that shows pregnancy hormones in your system, it is possible that the pregnancy isn’t viable. A viable pregnancy means it has a heartbeat and the potential for a live birth. As many as 20% of pregnancies end on their own before 12 weeks.
A pregnancy test alone is not a reliable source to confirm viability. It is important to make sure your pregnancy is alive before you put your body through an unnecessary abortion. Our free viability ultrasound will confirm the viability of your pregnancy.
3. Check to see where your pregnancy is growing
Sometimes, a pregnancy may begin to grow outside of the uterus. This is called an ectopic pregnancy and can be life-threatening. It’s important to rule out an ectopic pregnancy as it can become more dangerous as the pregnancy grows.
Taking the abortion pill without ruling out an ectopic pregnancy can be life-threatening. While you might experience abortion symptoms after taking the abortion pills, it may not end the pregnancy. This can put you at risk for internal bleeding. An ultrasound will check where your pregnancy is growing.
4. Find out how far along you are
An ultrasound confirms exactly how far along you are in your pregnancy. This helps determine what abortion option you may be eligible for and how much it will cost.
Taking the abortion pill when more than 10 weeks pregnant increases your risk for an incomplete abortion, hemorrhage, retained placenta, or the need for a blood transfusion from heavy bleeding.
5. Get tested for STDs
Having an abortion with an undetected STD can cause complications during the procedure and effect your future reproductive health. Having an abortion while infected with chlamydia or gonorrhea (two of the most common STDs) can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID).
PID can cause lifelong damage to your reproductive organs and lead to future ectopic pregnancies or infertility. Care Net of Puget Sound offers free limited STD testing and treatment.
6. Confirm your blood type
Many times pregnant women don’t realize they need to get a blood test to confirm if they are Rh positive or Rh negative. Rh factor is a protein some people have in their blood. If your blood has protein, you are Rh positive, if you don’t, you are Rh negative.
If you are Rh negative and the fetus is Rh positive, your body can develop antibodies (another kind of protein) against Rh-positive blood. This will not likely cause problems with your first pregnancy, but can cause serious problems with future pregnancies.
If you are Rh negative, you need to get a RhoGAM shot to prevent your body from creating these antibodies and causing potential future pregnancy risks.
7. Discover all of your pregnancy options
No matter how scared you are, abortion is not your only option. Talk to a licensed medical professional about options and resources for your specific situation.
You don’t have to rush to make a decision. Take the time to really understand both short-term and long-term effects of each choice. We are here for you to talk through your fears, concerns, and pregnancy options. Make an appointment.
8. Understand specifics of abortion procedure, risks, and complications
We believe you deserve to be fully informed. Educate yourself on how the abortion procedure will work, how it will affect your body, and what side effects and risks are possible.
Our medical professionals can talk you through these specifics and make sure you feel confident in your pregnancy decision.
Schedule an appointment today.
