You have the right to decide the outcome of your pregnancy, regardless of any external pressures. Legally, the decision is yours alone.
Still, gathering information can help you feel more confident as you navigate any pressure from others. Please be aware that abortion is completely banned in Kentucky, so you would need to travel out of state to undergo any abortion procedure.
At Affirm Women’s Health, we offer free pregnancy consultations to provide you with medically informed answers to your questions and help you learn more about abortion methods and their associated risks.
Understanding the Physical Risks of Abortion
If you’re thinking about abortion, it’s so important to know the associated risks, as they can be potentially life-threatening.
Risks Of Surgical Abortion
The risk of surgical abortion includes:
- Uterus perforation
- Cervical damage
- Uterine scarring
- Infection
Risks Of Medical Abortion
Medication abortions are FDA-approved through 10 weeks gestational age. Medical abortion includes potential risks such as:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- An ongoing unwanted pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
Will Abortion Affect My Mental Health?
Women often overlook the mental health risks of abortion, but these should be carefully considered.
The National Library of Medicine states, “abortion is linked to higher rates of mental illness compared to women without a history of abortion.”
While every woman will respond differently to abortion, it’s essential to consider how it might affect your mental health.
Preparing for Conversations with Friends and Family
Once you’ve learned all you can about the risks involved in abortion, it’s also important to consider your other pregnancy options. This will allow you to approach the conversation with your loved ones feeling armed with the facts.
No matter what pregnancy decision you’re considering, your family and friends should never make you feel pressured to choose an option you’re not comfortable with. If you’ve been open and honest about what you’re thinking and they still make you feel pressured, it’s time to set boundaries. This might look like taking a break from them or telling them that you don’t want to talk about your pregnancy.
Protect Your Health with a Free Ultrasound
Before making a pregnancy decision, getting an ultrasound is a critical first step to protect your health. This simple scan will help determine:
- Gestational age: Because medication abortions are only FDA-approved through ten weeks, you’ll need to verify how far along you are.
- Viability: Confirms if a miscarriage has occurred (1 in 4 pregnancies miscarry).
- Location: An ultrasound will verify if your pregnancy is in the uterus or not. If it’s outside the uterus, it is ectopic and requires emergency medical treatment, not an abortion.
Affirm Women’s Health offers a safe, compassionate space where you can get accurate medical information and explore your options. Contact us today!