If you are facing an unexpected pregnancy, there’s likely so many things going through your mind. It’s natural to think about and have questions about all of your options. Here are some of the most common abortion questions when it comes to thinking through this option.

• What steps should I take before an abortion?

Before getting an abortion, it’s important to have a positive pregnancy test, an ultrasound scan, STD/STI testing (plus any needed treatment), a blood test to determine whether you’re Rh-negative, and know about the procedure and risks.  A pregnancy counselor can discuss each of these steps with you.

Take time to explore all of your options when you think you may be pregnant.  A pregnancy counselor at Many Hearts, or your local pregnancy resource center, can walk you through your choices, which also include parenting or adoption.

• Do I need at STD/STI test before an abortion?

Absolutely.  Testing and treatment can help reduce the risk of the abortion procedure spreading the STI/STD to other parts of your body and causing pelvic inflammatory disease and/or other complications.

• Why is an ultrasound important?

An ultrasound is crucial to being able to understand the details of your pregnancy and make a pregnancy decision. An ultrasound reveals three things:

1. The viability of your pregnancy (if the pregnancy is progressing/growing)
2. The location of your pregnancy (if there is a possibility for ectopic pregnancy)
3. How far along you are (gestational age)

About 10-20% of known pregnancies end in a miscarriage. Most miscarriages occur within the first trimester. An ultrasound can help alert you to whether or not you are at risk for a miscarriage.

If you’re considering abortion, it’s important to clarify how far along you are, which is only confirmed through an ultrasound. You might have a good idea based on your last menstrual cycle or possible date of conception, but an ultrasound can take measurements to get an accurate gestational age and estimate a due date. Certain types of abortion are only recommended depending on how far along you are.

Ultrasounds are available for free at many local pregnancy resource centers.

• The Rh Factor: Why You Need to be tested before an abortion.

Blood cells from the fetus can enter your blood when pregnant.  If you are Rhesus (Rh) negative and the fetus is Rh-positive, your body can develop antibodies against Rh-positive blood.  These antibodies can cause serious issues in future pregnancies if you do not receive an Rh immune globulin injection.  Because of this, it is very important to have your blood tested to see whether you are Rh-negative, especially if you receive an abortion after 8 weeks of pregnancy.

• What are the risks of ordering the abortion pill online?

The abortion pill is actually two, separate, strong medications.  Because it is such a powerful medicine, the FDA requires physician oversight for mifepristone, the first of two pills you take in a medical abortion, to ensure safe use of the drug.  Additionally, if you buy abortion pills from foreign Internet sources, they are not FDA-approved versions of the drug.  This means you cannot be sure of the dosage or chemicals used in the pills you ordered online, and you run the risk of additional serious side effects and/or an incomplete abortion.

• Will state Medicaid pay for my abortion?

Medicaid rarely pays for abortions and only in very specific circumstances.  Each state has different rules, however, so use the numbers provided on your Medicaid care to inquire.

• Will insurance pay for my girlfriend’s abortion?

Under federal law, no insurance plan is required to cover abortion services.  Some private insurance plans will cover abortion services.  If your girlfriend has private insurance, she will need to check with her specific plan by calling the number on the back of her insurance card or finding her plan online.  State insurance (Medicaid) may or may not cover abortion services, depending on which state you live in.

• What is a chemical/medical abortion?

Two pills, mifepristone and misoprostol, can be taken to cause an abortion in the first nine weeks of pregnancy.  The first pill, mifepristone, blocks your body’s progesterone production to stop the pregnancy from growing.  The second pill, misoprostol, is taken 6-72 hours later and causes heavy bleeding and cramping to empty your uterus.  Lighter bleeding will then continue for up to four weeks.  You will need to follow up with your medical provider one to two weeks later to be sure the abortion is complete, and you don’t have an infection.  Risks of a chemical or medical abortion include an incomplete abortion, heavy bleeding, infection, and blood clots in your uterus.

• What is a surgical abortion?

A surgical, or in-clinic, abortion is a surgical procedure done to end a pregnancy.  There may be different techniques and tools used depending on how far along your pregnancy is.  Suction abortion (vacuum aspiration), usually done until 14-16 weeks of pregnancy, uses a vacuum tool to suction the baby out of your uterus.  Dilation and Evacuation (D&E) uses both suction and a scraping tool to empty your uterus of the baby and placenta.  D&E is usually used later in pregnancy than a suction abortion.  Risks of a surgical abortion include infection, heavy bleeding, incomplete abortion, damage to the uterus or cervix, blood clots, and, rarely, death.

• Can I change my mind after taking the abortion pill?

Yes, you can change your mind if you’ve just taken the first abortion pill (mifepristone) but haven’t taken the second pill (misoprostol).  The physician- developed abortion pill reversal (APR) is most successful within 72 hours of taking the abortion pill with the highest success rate if done within the first 24 hours.  Contact https://www.abortionpillreversal.com/contact for more information.

Ask yourself these questions before having an abortion:

• Have you spoken to a counselor about your options?
• Have you fully explored the idea of parenting this child and what support you would have and what resources there are?
• Have you fully explored the idea of making an adoption plan for your child?
• Have you considered the emotions you may experience following an abortion?
• Do you know what stage of development your baby is in?