How to Prepare for an Abortion Pill

If you're pregnant and considering abortion, you're probably familiar with the abortion pill as an option. However, before proceeding with a chemical abortion, there are several important considerations to keep in mind. Need answers now? Chat anonymously with a nurse for no cost at (254) 452-5250. 

Medical Abortion Checklist

1. Be Certain You Are Actually Pregnant

This may seem obvious, but in the panic of the moment, it's easy to jump ahead and act before confirming pregnancy with a lab-quality pregnancy test and ultrasound.

Acting without this confirmation can lead to unnecessary risks. Always take the medication under the supervision of a medical professional.

2. Know the Status and Stage of Fetal Development 

About 10%-20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage.¹ While a positive pregnancy test indicates pregnancy, an ultrasound is essential to confirm the viability of the fetus, ensuring that the pregnancy has not miscarried and is not ectopic.² It also provides crucial information about the fetus's age and development. The FDA has approved the abortion pill for use through 70 days gestation,³ making an ultrasound necessary to ensure you are within this timeframe.

3. Make Sure This is Your Decision

Deciding whether to continue a pregnancy is a significant decision that affects everyone involved. It's common to receive conflicting advice from those close to you regarding whether to carry the pregnancy to term or to consider abortion.

Ultimately, the decision is yours alone to make. No one, including your partner, friends, or family, should pressure or manipulate you into choosing abortion. Legal protections ensure that you cannot be forced to undergo an abortion against your will.

If you feel pressured or threatened regarding your decision, support is available. Care Net provides professional, safe, and confidential assistance. We're here to address all your concerns and provide accurate information about the abortion pill and your options, ensuring your anonymity throughout the process.

4. Know The Risks

Undergoing an abortion is a physical, emotional, and spiritual experience, encompassing inherent risks.

Testing for an STI that you may not know you even have and treating it before an abortion is crucial to reducing the risk of the infection spreading. During a surgical abortion, the cervix is opened, increasing the chance of an untreated STI spreading. For example, untreated chlamydia could lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), which may cause complications like ectopic pregnancies or infertility.⁴

It's crucial to understand that an abortion is irreversible. Therefore, it's essential to feel firm and confident in your decision before proceeding. You may experience emotional or spiritual distress and regret following the procedure.

Abortion Consultation Services

If you have questions or need to discuss the abortion pill and explore your options in a safe, professional, and confidential environment, Care Net Pregnancy Center of Central Texas is here to support you. We provide a range of no-cost services, including pregnancy testing, limited ultrasounds, and personalized options counseling.

To begin, schedule a consultation or text us at (254) 452-5250. Our certified nurses are ready to assist you.

Sources:

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pregnancy-loss-miscarriage/symptoms-causes

2. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/9704-ultrasound-in-pregnancy

3.https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/information-about-mifepristone-medical-termination-pregnancy-through-ten-weeks-gestation

4. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20352594