“Am I ready to get an abortion?”
If you are thinking about terminating your unplanned pregnancy, this is a crucial question to consider. An abortion will affect you physically, mentally, and emotionally, so you should make sure you have the time and information you need to make an informed decision.
Use the questions below to see if you’re ready to look for abortion clinics in Orlando or if you need to learn more about your pregnancy.
Am I ready to get an abortion?
1. Have you confirmed your pregnancy?
Taking a medical-grade pregnancy test should be your first step. A positive at-home pregnancy test is usually, but not always, a reliable sign of pregnancy. By taking a medical-grade pregnancy test, you can officially confirm or rule out pregnancy.
If you visit a pregnancy clinic such as Thrive Orlando, you can likely also get a free ultrasound to further confirm your pregnancy. This scan offers important information about your health, helping you make a decision you feel good about.
2. Have you checked your pregnancy’s viability?
Viability refers to your pregnancy’s health. A viable pregnancy is healthy and likely to continue growing. A non-viable pregnancy, however, is not healthy enough to develop correctly. It will probably end naturally in a miscarriage.
Research shows that 15 to 20% of confirmed pregnancies end in miscarriage before 20 weeks gestation. If your pregnancy isn’t viable, it will likely end on its own and you won’t need an abortion.
To check your pregnancy’s viability, you will need an ultrasound to measure its health. The sonographer will make sure the embryo is present, check for a healthy heartbeat, and look for abnormalities that might indicate non-viability. She may recommend further care from a doctor to confirm these findings and protect your health.
3. Do you know your pregnancy’s gestational age?
Gestational age is one of the most important pieces of information you need before having an abortion. Though there are several types of abortion, each option is only available at certain gestational ages. Additionally, an abortion clinic in Florida can only serve patients who are six weeks gestation or less unless they qualify for an exception to the law.
During your ultrasound, the sonographer will take measurements of the embryo to determine how far along you are. You may have estimated this information based on the first day of your last period, but this method isn’t very reliable. At our clinic, we have seen patients who are weeks and even months farther along than they thought. An ultrasound will offer an accurate gestational age, helping you understand your best next steps.
4. Do you know where your pregnancy is located?
Ruling out an ectopic pregnancy is another crucial pre-abortion step. In some pregnancies, the embryo implants outside of the uterus, often in the fallopian tube. An ectopic pregnancy can’t survive, but it also poses a serious risk to the woman. As the pregnancy grows, it may rupture the tissue around it and cause dangerous internal bleeding.
But that’s not the only danger, especially for women who get abortion pills online or from a source other than a doctor. Taking the abortion pill with an ectopic pregnancy will terminate the embryo, but it won’t remove the tissue. This can lead to a serious, potentially life-threatening infection.
If you are considering non-medical places for abortion pills, including online sources, you must have an ultrasound to check for an ectopic pregnancy first. The FDA warns women to both check for this complication and to avoid online sources for this medication. No matter what you choose for your pregnancy, make sure to put your health and safety first.
5. Do you know about all your pregnancy options?
Now that you have the facts about your pregnancy, you can explore all your options. You can find information online or talk with someone at a local resource organization such as Thrive Orlando. These pre-abortion counseling sessions give you the chance to ask any questions you have about your pregnancy and options, such as:
- How much does an abortion cost?
- What kind of adoption plans can I create?
- Does my partner have a say in this decision?
- Are there any side effects or risks to any of these pregnancy options?
- How can I find help with finances, education, housing, employment, or other needs?
What should I do next?
Confirming your pregnancy and having an ultrasound to check for potential complications is the best place to start. Schedule your free appointment at Thrive Orlando today to take a medical-grade pregnancy test and see if you qualify for a free ultrasound.