Are you in the challenging position of considering your next steps after discovering an unexpected pregnancy? Every person facing these circumstances has three options open to her: abortion, adoption, and parenting. But that may sound like an oversimplification. All your available avenues may include complicated emotions, gray areas, and difficult decisions within decisions. The process of figuring out your best way forward may feel completely overwhelming.
It’s critical to care for your physical and emotional health while contemplating any of your pregnancy options. Your feelings, instincts, and wellness needs should be given special attention no matter which possibilities are on the table. However, in this blog, we’ll focus on considerations particularly relevant to someone who’s thinking about having an abortion.
Are you looking for practical early pregnancy services and reliable information about abortion or other pregnancy options? Avenue Women’s Center provides all this and more in a nonjudgmental environment. We’re a first-step pregnancy center with six limited medical clinics located in Chicagoland, and we’d love to partner with you!
Call, text, chat, or email to learn more and schedule an appointment today!
Caring for Your Physical Health
Accessing medical support and caring for your physical health are top priorities no matter which way you’re leaning. For a person considering abortion, it’s critical to know the risk factors related to this specific pregnancy option. Mayo Clinic outlines potential risks associated with medical abortion (like incomplete abortion, ongoing pregnancy, and persistent bleeding) and surgical procedures such as dilation and curettage (D&C) (which may involve risks like damage to the uterus or cervix). Although some risks are rare, knowing them in advance and directing questions to a medical professional will help you make a more informed pregnancy decision.
It’s very important to be seen by a qualified medical professional if you’re contemplating abortion. That’s because your body is unique, and ending a pregnancy is a medical process with potentially serious implications for your physical health. If a doctor is carefully monitoring your health status before, during, and after an abortion, your odds of safely navigating this process will be significantly higher. Keep in mind that abortion (specifically medical abortion) isn’t a realistic option for everyone. Your eligibility for that particular method depends on factors like how far along you are, where your pregnancy is located, pre-existing medical conditions, and the medications you’re taking.
Avenue Women’s Center offers a service that can help provide important information early in pregnancy. Our free limited medical ultrasounds can identify 1) how far along you are (to clarify your abortion eligibility), 2) your chances of miscarriage, and 3) where your pregnancy is located (an ectopic pregnancy- located outside the uterus- is a dangerous condition requiring prompt treatment beyond an abortion). Your health and safety are our highest priorities at Avenue! You deserve to move forward feeling informed and empowered, which is why we provide reliable information about your pregnancy, resources, and options.
Caring for Your Emotional Health
Everyone’s emotional response to having an abortion is unique, and it can be hard to predict how you’ll be affected on the other side of your pregnancy choice. Some people move on emotionally after ending a pregnancy while others may experience symptoms of post-abortion stress. If you’re considering abortion, exploring how you feel about this here and now may offer some future insight and equip you to get your emotional needs met right away. Maybe you’re feeling confident, confused, uneasy, or frustrated. It’s normal to have complex emotions surrounding an upcoming abortion and pregnancy options in general. But, however you’re feeling, it’s important to pay attention. Identify your emotions and consider where they may be coming from. Processing this may play a role in pointing you toward your own best outcome.
There are many different ways to show yourself some love. Techniques for maintaining your emotional/mental health may include meditation, practicing gratitude, and caring for your body. But for most of us, accessing support is an important piece of the puzzle. Consider sharing your thoughts and feelings with someone trustworthy. It may be most helpful to confide in an acquaintance who knows you well and loves you unconditionally (like a family member, friend, or mentor) and someone who’s neutral and knowledgeable (like a mental health professional or pregnancy consultant).
For additional self-care tips, check out our blog, 8 Methods for Self-Care During Pregnancy!
Avenue Women’s Center has been offering practical and emotional support to persons facing an unexpected pregnancy for more than 4 decades. We’re passionate about meeting the needs of people coping with situations like yours, and equipping them with the tools they need to thrive.
Learn more about our services, which include free pregnancy tests, limited medical ultrasounds, pregnancy consultations, and more!
Schedule a virtual or in-person appointment today!
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References:
- Mayo Clinic. (2021, October). Dilation and curettage (D&C). Retrieved from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/dilation-and-curettage/about/pac-20384910
- Mayo Clinic. (2022, July). Medical abortion. Retrieved from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/medical-abortion/about/pac-20394687
Reviewed by Patricia Kuenzi, APN-CNP, MSN, ANP, PNP.
The information provided here is general in nature. It is not a substitute for a consultation with a medical professional. Before any medical procedure, it is imperative that you discuss your personal medical history, risks, and concerns with your doctor. If you have questions during or after a procedure, your doctor should be immediately contacted. Avenue Women’s Center is not an emergency center. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, such as bleeding and/or pain, seek immediate medical attention. Contact your physician, go to an emergency room, or call 911.