Before an abortion, take three steps to protect your health and safety: a positive pregnancy test, an ultrasound, and understanding the risks.
1. A Positive Pregnancy Test
When wondering whether or not you could be pregnant, you might jump to conclusions before finding out for sure. Verify the presence of pregnancy hormones by taking a urine pregnancy test after your first missed period.
If it’s positive, the test has detected the presence of the pregnancy hormone, hCG. A positive pregnancy test doesn’t give you all the necessary details, though. It’s simply the first step.
2. Schedule An Ultrasound
Before scheduling an abortion, it’s important to schedule an ultrasound examination. An ultrasound produces images of the inside of your uterus that help nurses determine how far along you are, where the pregnancy is located, and if the pregnancy is viable.
We offer free ultrasounds at our center because we want you to be fully informed and in control of your health. Contact us today to schedule your confidential appointment to get the answers you need to take your next steps with confidence.
3. Understand the Risks
There are many risks to be aware of when it comes to abortion, but two of the most serious include Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) and incomplete abortion.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is a disease that occurs in female reproductive organs. Many women, however, don’t have signs or symptoms of PID, making it hard to detect. It can lead to complications in getting pregnant in the future and chronic pelvic pain. The risk of developing complications like PID (and septic shock) is especially strong if you have an untreated STI at the time of your abortion.
An incomplete abortion can happen after a medical or surgical abortion and occurs when parts of the pregnancy remain in the uterus instead of being removed during the abortion. An infection can occur, and medical attention should be sought out to prevent threats to your health.
Sometimes the remaining parts of pregnancy will be expelled naturally, but sometimes a follow-up surgical procedure is needed. If you experience vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, or cramping after your abortion, you should contact the doctor who performed your abortion for medical care.
More Abortion Information
If you are considering abortion, we’re here to discuss your options with you. Please schedule an appointment today to meet with a professional. We can offer you the facts and support you’ll need to make an informed decision. Text us at 203-450-9113 for more information about our free services.