You weren’t expecting the pregnancy test to be positive when you took it. But now that you know the result, you have a big decision. Having an abortion is a serious medical procedure, whether you choose a chemical or surgical route.
Confirm your pregnancy first, then learn as much as possible about each method. At Affirm Women’s Health, we can help you with both.
Have You Confirmed Your Pregnancy?
A positive pregnancy test and a late period may not be enough information to confirm a possible pregnancy. Come to Affirm for no-cost pregnancy services to ensure your pregnancy is viable. A viable pregnancy is developing with a detectable heartbeat.
Could I Have Miscarried?
Experts estimate that as many as 26% of all pregnancies end in a miscarriage. Because it takes a woman’s body time to return to pre-pregnancy hormone levels, it is possible to get a positive pregnancy test and no longer be pregnant.
Why Would I Get an Ultrasound?
An ultrasound detects if your pregnancy is viable. It also determines how far along you are and if the location is correct. Why is it important to know this? The number of weeks you have been pregnant determines the type of abortion you get.
If your pregnancy is no longer viable, you will want to visit your healthcare provider to ensure your miscarriage was complete. Plus, a pregnancy located in the wrong place can be life-threatening.
The Types of Abortion
There are two types of abortion. The method an abortion provider uses is usually determined by how far along you are in your pregnancy.
The Abortion Pill Method
The abortion pill method is a medical procedure because it uses drugs to terminate the pregnancy. The FDA approves the use of these drugs through 10 weeks of pregnancy only. The farther along you are, the less effective the drugs become.
You can expect cramping (sometimes severe) and bleeding with blood clots. You might also have a low-grade fever or chills. Other symptoms might include nausea, dizziness, and diarrhea.
Surgical Abortion
The abortion provider performs a surgical abortion in a clinic or hospital. Surgical abortions often involve either local or general anesthesia and dilation (opening) of the cervix. The provider may use suction, a scraping tool, or forceps, depending on how far you are in your pregnancy.
You can expect bleeding and cramping with all abortions. A surgical procedure is faster, but it can also be more expensive.
Get More Information From Affirm
Did you know you have options? You can choose to have an abortion, make an adoption plan, or learn about parenting resources. We can discuss those with you.
Learning about the various physical and mental risks of abortion is also critical. You need to be fully prepared. Although we do not perform or refer for abortion, we can give you medically-based facts about the procedures, side effects to expect, and risks.
Be prepared. Confirm your pregnancy with no-cost medical-grade pregnancy testing and ultrasound at Affirm Women’s Health. Schedule a no-cost appointment today. We’re here for you.