A pregnancy is divided into three trimesters. According to Mayo Clinic, the second trimester begins at 13 weeks and ends at the 27th week. If you’re in your second trimester, hopefully, the symptoms of early pregnancy (like nausea and fatigue) have left, and you’re starting to feel better.
You have reached the halfway point if you are close to 18 weeks of pregnancy. Now is the perfect time to carefully review every option. In Illinois, you still have three options for your pregnancy: having an abortion, making an adoption plan, or choosing to parent. Let’s look at each.
Are You Considering an Abortion?
The FDA approves the use of abortion drugs (also known as the abortion pill method) through 10 weeks of pregnancy only. The effectiveness of the drugs decreases the farther you are into your pregnancy. As a result, you may need to have a surgical procedure.
Depending on how far along you are into your second trimester, you could have either a D&C (dilation and curettage) or a D&E (dilation and evacuation) abortion. With a D&C, the abortion provider uses a suction or scraping tool to ensure they remove all of the pregnancy and tissue. A D&E is normally done using vacuum aspiration and may require surgical tools to remove larger parts of the pregnancy.
Learning the side effects and potential physical and emotional risks of abortion is essential. One study found that women were more likely to feel greater pain during a second-trimester abortion.
Although we do not perform or refer for abortions at Avenue Women’s Center, we can give you medically-based, factual information about abortion procedures. Schedule a pre-abortion screening with us today.
What About Making an Adoption Plan?
For some women, choosing adoption is a difficult decision. But depending on your situation, it may be your best choice. Here are a few reasons why women consider making an adoption plan:
- They are already raising other children and don’t have the resources to parent another.
- No one is available to support them physically, financially, or emotionally.
- Their living situation isn’t safe for a baby.
- They are no longer in a relationship with the father, or he is unknown.
- They’ve had an abortion already and do not want another one.
- They want a relationship with their child without the day-to-day responsibilities of parenting.
It is essential to work with a reputable, licensed adoption coordinator who puts you and your desires first. If you want, you can select the adoptive parents who will raise your child. Many of your expenses can be covered by connecting with the right resources, including prenatal care, hospital and legal fees, and other pregnancy-related costs.
Avenue Women’s Center is not an adoption agency. However, we can offer referrals to excellent adoption coordinators if you’re considering this option.
What Do You Think About Parenting?
Choosing to parent may be your best way forward, as it is for many women. If you’re considering your option of parenting, consider asking yourself some questions about your unique situation. Here are a few:
- How may my partner or parents respond to a parenting decision? If I believe this is my best option, how can I effectively communicate this to them?
- Am I currently in school or working? How could I adapt my schedule to make parenting work?
- What resources do I have available, and what will I need? How could I access these needed resources?
- Do I have a safe place to live? (Your personal safety must always come first. If someone is putting your safety or somebody else’s at risk, call 911 right away. How can I create a safe environment (for myself first and also for my pregnancy)? If you need housing support, Avenue can help.
At Avenue Women’s Center, we want to be the community that supports and educates you as you pursue your option of parenting. We have many resources available to assist you, and we’ve partnered with many professionals in our area who can also provide help.
Raising children today takes determination, but you may be surprised at the many benefits available. We’ll be right by your side, too.
Can We Talk?
If you’re looking for second-trimester options, now is the time to schedule a free, confidential appointment with one of our pregnancy consultants. We can discuss your situation in a private, non-judgmental environment. No matter which way you’re leaning, Avenue is here to provide accurate information about your pregnancy and all the options available to you.
We have five locations to serve you. Call, chat, email, or text to schedule an appointment or reach out online. We care about you and your future. Contact us today!
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.