When navigating an unexpected pregnancy (or any other situation with ties to your health), your personal well-being must come first. If you’re asking the question, “How can I best protect myself while I’m considering my options?”, you’re already effectively prioritizing your safety. Perhaps you’re exploring abortion and wondering what steps you should take during the decision-making process. You’re probably looking for honest and accurate information that’s simple to understand. If so, this blog is for you!
Are you looking to make a well-informed pregnancy choice while being mindful of your own wellness? Reach out to Avenue Women’s Center! We offer no-cost early pregnancy services, to help women make the most knowledgeable and confident choices possible. Our limited medical services include options consultations, limited medical ultrasounds, and more!
Learn more about Avenue! We’ve been serving individuals, couples, and families from our own Chicagoland community and beyond since 1981.
Consulting a Medical Professional
To protect your physical health, certain steps should be taken before moving forward with an abortion. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends speaking with a medical professional about the following:
- “Your health and how far along the pregnancy is.” Your body is unique and complex. Many different factors contribute to your overall health. Your specific health status will influence which abortion method(s) you’re eligible for, as will the gestational age of your pregnancy. Consider getting an ultrasound to find out how far along you are, and which abortion option(s) would be safe and effective at this stage. A scan can also determine whether or not your pregnancy is ectopic (located outside of the uterus). An ectopic pregnancy would require immediate medical attention.
- “Options for how the abortion can happen.” The two primary abortion methods are surgical abortion and medical abortion (commonly known as “the abortion pill”). Again, a woman’s individual health and the gestational age of her pregnancy will influence which methods are appropriate for her. A surgical abortion would involve specific procedures based on how far along she is, and a medical abortion would not be safe or effective if her pregnancy has developed beyond a certain point.
- “Any risks that may come with abortion care.” Any medical treatment involves risks, and abortion is no exception. Some of the specific risks associated with abortion are incomplete abortion, infection, vaginal bleeding or hemorrhaging, or damage to organs such as the uterus.
- “Instructions about how to care for yourself at home after the abortion.” If you have an abortion, it will also be important to know what to expect afterward, when to reach out to your doctor, and what kind of routine medical follow-up is recommended.
The key takeaway is this: If you’re thinking about having an abortion, consult a qualified medical professional first. This will equip you to protect your own physical health and safety.
Additional Steps to Protect Your Health
There are tons of additional steps you can take to protect your health while considering abortion or any other pregnancy option, and a doctor can help you expand your knowledge of these. Diet/nutrition, exercise, and substances to avoid are all important considerations during pregnancy. Keep in mind that your body is managing a lot of extra demands right now (even if you anticipate that your pregnancy won’t continue much longer). Show yourself some love and make self-care a top priority.
It’s also well worth noting that your health is a multi-faceted organism. This blog has primarily focused on protecting your physical health, but your overall wellness goes far beyond that. We have mental, emotional, social, and spiritual health to consider as well. All of these can be closely linked with significant experiences, like a pregnancy journey. As you contemplate your options, consider the many facets of your health and how they may impact/be impacted by the pregnancy outcome(s) you’re considering.
Our expert pregnancy consultants and nurses at Avenue are here to help you take a comprehensive look at your options with deep care for your holistic well-being. Avenue’s no-cost early pregnancy services are available to help you take informed first steps. Although we are limited in the scope of medical services we provide, we can help you gather fundamental information about your pregnancy and the possibilities available to you. We can also help you connect with medical and other resources to safeguard your health both now and later.
Contact us to ask questions and schedule! We promise you’ll be met with warmth, transparency, and professionalism.
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Reference:
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). (2022, July). FAQs: Abortion Care. Retrieved from: https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/induced-abortion.
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.