An unexpected pregnancy will often prompt a number of questions that can be overwhelming. Many women look for an immediate solution to avoid panic. But an abortion is still a medical procedure and, like any other medical decision, it is so important that you have all the facts before moving forward. Every day, we see many women at Napa Women’s Center who are trying to understand their options. You need to know several things about your body and the process before scheduling anything.
Do you have a viable pregnancy?
Confirming a positive pregnancy test is only half the battle. Research studies have shown that as many as 20 percent of known pregnancies end up in natural miscarriage. Therefore, if the pregnancy is going to naturally terminate on its own, you may not require surgical or medical assistance. An ultrasound is the only way to determine if there is a heartbeat and if the pregnancy is progressing normally. As a licensed medical center, we can perform a limited ultrasound to determine the viability of a pregnancy. This will help you avoid paying for a procedure that your body may be able to complete on its own.
What is your estimated gestational age?
Knowing the gestational age will affect your options. The FDA has approved the abortion pill protocol for use through 70 days of pregnancy. Once you reach ten weeks’ gestation, medication abortion is no longer available, and a surgical procedure becomes necessary (a source of common confusion for those who may be following their last menstrual period). The gestational age of your pregnancy determines not only which procedure you will undergo, but also what your costs may be. So, getting an accurate measurement ensures that when you arrive at a clinic, you know what to expect.
What are the health risks?
Like any medical procedure, there are always risks and possible complications involved. With medication abortion, your body will go through the process of expelling the pregnancy; the complications could include heavy bleeding and severe cramping due to expulsion of the pregnancy. On the other hand, with surgical abortion, complications could include infection or damage to the cervix. It is important to be screened for STIs before proceeding with either type of procedure. If you have an untreated infection, the instruments used during a surgical abortion can move the bacteria from the vagina into the uterus. This may result in pelvic inflammatory disease, which may cause future health problems.
Where is the pregnancy located?
On occasion, a pregnancy may implant somewhere other than the uterus. Ectopic pregnancy, a condition that occurs in about 2 percent of pregnancies, generally occurs in the fallopian tubes. This is a life-threatening condition. The abortion pill will not end an ectopic pregnancy. If your pregnancy is ectopic, you need to go to a hospital immediately for medical attention, not to an abortion clinic. The only method for determining whether your pregnancy is developing in the uterus is to have an ultrasound. It is vital to have this information before making a final decision on next steps.
Have you researched all options?
It is common for fear to create tunnel vision, so you see only one option from where you are. As you explore further, it is helpful to understand what parenting or adoption actually looks like. You may feel like you need to choose between your future and this pregnancy. However, there are local resources designed to help you with both. By meeting with a client advocate, you can examine the details of each of the three choices. Along with that, we can also look at material assistance or community referrals that may help you feel that parenting will be manageable. Depending on your support system, your perspective might even change as you learn more about what’s available.
Still have questions? Call us at (707) 266-1741. Napa Women’s Center is located at 935 Trancas St, Suite 4B, Napa, CA 94558. We offer free pregnancy testing and consultations for women in the Napa Valley area.