Sifting through your options when faced with an unplanned pregnancy can seem overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure of what’s available. Reviewing your pregnancy options in a trusted, safe environment is vital to take a deep breath and consider what is best for you.
Two options you have are abortion and adoption. There is a lot of misinformation on these options, so it’s crucial to get fact-based information. We’ll walk you through each option below.
What’s Important for Me to Know About Abortion?
Some people market abortion as a relatively safe procedure available to anyone, but the truth is that it carries certain risks all women should be aware of. There is also more than one form of abortion procedure: medical abortion and surgical abortion.
A medical abortion uses mifepristone and misoprostol to end a viable early-stage pregnancy. Women may experience abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding, but other, more serious risks can present, such as:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
Not everyone can have a medical abortion, including if you:
- Are too far along in the pregnancy
- Have an IUD
- Have certain medical conditions, including an ectopic pregnancy
- Take a blood thinner
- Have an allergy to the medications used
- Can’t make follow-up visits to your provider
Surgical abortions occur later in pregnancy and use medication, surgical instruments, and a suctioning technique to end a pregnancy. Side effects can also include vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping, but the risks can be quite severe:
- Damage to the cervix
- Perforation of the uterus
- Infection
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall
Regardless of which abortion procedure you’d like to have, it is imperative that you have an obstetric ultrasound performed to protect your health. An ultrasound tells you your pregnancy’s viability, gestational age, and location, which can tell you whether you can have an abortion, and if so, which one.
Pregnancy Options offers no-cost, limited obstetrical ultrasounds.
Is Adoption the Best Option for Me?
You may have heard many things about adoption, and not all of them may have been positive. Some women believe adoption is “giving up” their baby and they cannot have a relationship with them. Adoption has changed quite a bit, and women now have a range of options to choose from. It can be a beautiful way to build a family with the option of being involved in the entire process.
There are multiple adoption plans to choose from, such as:
- Open adoption: This form of adoption allows women to play an active role in the entire process, from choosing the adoptive family to forming a relationship with the child through regular contact.
- Semi-open adoption: Communication between the woman and adoptive family can still occur, but it is carried out via a third party like an adoption attorney or agency.
- Closed adoption: In a closed adoption, the woman can remain anonymous, and all identifying information is sealed. This is best for the woman who desires privacy.
As you have read, adoption plans can be accommodated to fit each woman’s specific needs and lifestyle. She often has the opportunity to receive financial assistance and continuous support throughout this process. If you are interested in adoption, Pregnancy Options can discuss this option with you and offer support.
No-Cost, Confidential Services
You don’t have to do this alone if you’re experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and need help. Pregnancy Options is here to give you the guidance you need.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment. We’re here for you during this time!