You think you may be pregnant and it’s not what you expected. Now, you’re questioning what to do next and wondering what you should know if you decide to get an abortion.
This can be an overwhelming decision. You deserve space and time to take a breath to gather all the information you need so that you are empowered to make the best choice for your health.
What to do first if you think you might be pregnant:
- Take a pregnancy test – a pregnancy test measures the amount of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your body. This is a hormone your body produces only when you’re pregnant[1].
- Get an ultrasound – an ultrasound is used to confirm pregnancy, determines how far along you are, and ensures that the pregnancy is in the uterus and not in your fallopian tube (called an ectopic pregnancy); it can also determine if a miscarriage has taken place[2].
Questions to ask if you’re considering an abortion:
- How many weeks pregnant am I?
- The type of abortion you get will be determined by how many weeks pregnant you are[3].
- Is the pregnancy in my uterus?
- Taking the abortion pill without determining if the pregnancy is in the uterus can cause serious complications[4].
- How does abortion work and what does it do in my body?
- Like any medical procedure or in taking any kind of medication, informed consent empowers you to participate in your own medical care and ensures that you have a good understanding of the choice you make[5].
- What should I expect to happen when I get an abortion?
- Is abortion my only choice?
- Abortion is not your only choice; you can take time to talk with someone about all of your options.
If you think you might be pregnant and you want help getting this information and working out these questions, we offer free and confidential medical grade pregnancy test verifications and limited obstetric ultrasounds.
During these appointments, you’ll have the opportunity to speak one-on-one with Care Clinic’s registered nurse, ask her all the questions you might have about your pregnancy and abortion, and talk with someone through all your options.
*Care Pregnancy Resource Center does not perform or refer out for abortions. All medical services are provided through referral relationship with onsite Care Clinic. Care Clinic is staffed by licensed medical professionals.
Sources
- Knowing if you are pregnant. Office on Women’s Health. (2022, February 22). https://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/you-get-pregnant/knowing-if-you-are-pregnant
- Stanford Medicine. Ultrasound in Pregnancy. Children’s Health. https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=ultrasound-in-pregnancy-90-P02506
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Information about Mifepristone for Medical Termination of Pregnancy Through Ten Weeks Gestation. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2021, December 16). https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/information-about-mifepristone-medical-termination-pregnancy-through-ten-weeks-gestation
- Medical Abortion. Mayo Clinic. (2022, July 29). https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/medical-abortion/about/pac-20394687
- Informed Consent. Cleveland Clinic (2022, October 1). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24268-informed-consent
- National Library of Medicine. Abortion – Surgical. Medline Plus (2022, November 10). https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002912.htm