Critical Things to Know Before Scheduling an Abortion

At New Beginnings Pregnancy Help Center, we know it’s your life that will be impacted by the decision you make about your pregnancy. So, before you pay someone to perform an abortion, it is your right to know all of your options and have all of the information you need to make an educated, and safe, decision. While for-profit clinics and hospitals are often driven more by money than concern for the patient, we exist solely because we care about you, without making a profit.

Our knowledgeable, compassionate staff are committed to thoroughly and honestly sharing the information you need to make an informed decision, including answering these three critical questions before scheduling an abortion.

 

Is Your Pregnancy Viable?

A viable pregnancy means you are carrying a baby that has a reasonable chance to develop fully and survive outside the womb. A non-viable pregnancy, then, means the fetus has either died or has no chance of being born alive and living outside the womb1 . Some non-viable pregnancies, such as an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy that is growing outside of the uterus), can pose a significant risk to the mother and cannot be addressed through abortion. For this reason, having an ultrasound prior to scheduling an abortion is critical, as it is the only way to definitively determine viability. At New Beginnings Pregnancy Help Center, we can perform this ultrasound free of charge.

 

How Far Along Are You?

The gestational age of the fetus, or number of weeks since conception, is a key factor in determining the type of abortion you will receive, as well as its cost. Even though many women have a general idea of the date of their last period, the exact time the pregnancy began is an estimation. An ultrasound is the only way to definitively identify the true age and size of the fetus. In fact, without it, you could be offered the wrong type of abortion. A chemical abortion (the abortion pill), for example, could be recommended when you are actually past the 10-week window for that procedure’s safety or effectiveness. For this reason, a tele-medicine consultation is insufficient, as it cannot provide proof of pregnancy, proof of gestational age, or proof of a viable pregnancy, potentially putting you at risk. At New Beginnings Pregnancy Help Center, we personally provide all of this information at no cost to you.

 

Do You Have an STD?

You may wonder what having an STD has to do with getting an abortion, but it is extremely important. If you have an STD, especially one of the two most common, chlamydia or gonorrhea, and aren’t treated before having an abortion, your risk of developing Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) increases by 23% if the cervical infection is forced up into the uterus during the medical procedure25. PID increases your chances of having a future ectopic pregnancy, can decrease fertility, and can cause life-long pelvic inflammation and pain26. Testing is especially important because these STDs can be present without any symptoms. Other STDs, such as cervical syphilis27, HIV/AIDS28, and Human PapillomaVirus (HPV)29, also need to be tested for early in pregnancy, regardless of your pregnancy intentions, as they can pose significant risks to your health.

The majority of abortion facilities do not test for STDs prior to performing an abortion procedure. If they do, they charge an additional fee. At New Beginnings Pregnancy Help Center, we can confidentially have you tested and treated for these STDs at no charge. Results of STD testing are usually available within one week.

 

Get Your Pre-abortion Screening

At New Beginnings Pregnancy Help Center, we are here to give you the answers to these three critical questions before undergoing an abortion. Our no-cost pre-abortion screenings include a pregnancy test, an ultrasound and STD testing all performed by a licensed medical professional. Call/text us at 870-994-5433 or email info@pregnantnowwhat.org to schedule your screening today.

 

 

References

  1. Clement EG, Horvath S, Mcallister A, Koelper NC, Sammel MD, Schreiber CA. The language of first-trimester nonviable pregnancy: Patient-reported preferences and clarityObstet Gynecol.2019;133(1):149-154. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000002997
  2. (2021, June 15). A Determined Look into Non-Viable Pregnancy: Heartbreak and The Way Forward | Mommy Labor Nurse. Mommy Labor Nurse | Educating Expecting Parents About What’s To Come! https://mommylabornurse.com/non-viable-pregnancy/
  3. Miscarriage – Symptoms and causes. (2019, July 16). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pregnancy-loss-miscarriage/symptoms-causes/syc-20354298
  4. How a D&E Differs From a D&C. (2020, November 8). Verywell Family. https://www.verywellfamily.com/what-is-dilation-and-evacuation-d-e-for-miscarriage-2371460
  5. Hillson, B. B. J. H. M. (2014, July 1). Diagnosis and Management of Ectopic Pregnancy. American Family Physician. https://www.aafp.org/afp/2014/0701/p34.html
  6. Ectopic pregnancy – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic. (2020, December 18). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20372093
  7. Blighted Ovum: A Non-Viable Pregnancy With No Obvious Symptoms. (2020, March 25). Verywell Family. https://www.verywellfamily.com/understanding-blighted-ovum-2371492
  8. How Are the Symptoms of a Molar Pregnancy Treated? (2020, October 25). Verywell Family. https://www.verywellfamily.com/molar-pregnancy-causes-symptoms-and-treatment-2371405
  9. Symptoms & Treatment For Molar Pregnancy Cancer. (2020). Www.Pregnancy-Baby-Care.Com. http://www.pregnancy-baby-care.com/molar-pregnancy/molar-pregnancy-cancer.html
  10. Feature Editor. (2019, August 28). Molar Pregnancy – What is it and Why Does it Happen?Com. https://pregged.com/molar-pregnancy/
  11. Abortion Pills – First Trimester Medical Abortion. (Accessed October 2021). abortionprocedures.comhttps://www.abortionprocedures.com/abortion-pill/#1465365763472-92a2fc8d-9104.
  12. Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. (2021, April 13). Questions and Answers on Mifeprex. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/questions-and-answers-mifeprex
  13. Incidence of Emergency Department Visits and Complications. . . : Obstetrics & Gynecology. (2015). LWW. https://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/Fulltext/2015/01000/Incidence_of_Emergency_Department_Visits_and.29.aspx
  14. Niinimäki, M. (2009). Immediate complications after medical compared with surgical termination of pregnancy. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19888037/
  15. Elective abortion: Does it affect subsequent pregnancies? (2020, September 19). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/expert-answers/abortion/faq-20058551?reDate=15102021
  16. Dilation and Curettage (D&C): Treatment, Risks, Recovery. (2021, March). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/4110-dilation-and-curettage-d–c
  17. Lohr, Patricia A.  “Surgical Abortion in Second Trimester”, Reproductive Health Matters, May 2008, 156. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18772096.
  18. D&E Abortion – Second Trimester. (Accessed October 2021). abortionprocedures.comhttps://www.abortionprocedures.com/#1466802055946-992e6a14-9b1d.
  19. Bartlett, L. A. (2004, April). Risk factors for legal induced abortion-related mortality in the United States. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15051566/
  20. Fergusson, David M with Joseph M. Boden and L. John Harwood. “Does abortion reduce the mental health risks of unwanted or unintended pregnancy? A re-appraisal of the evidence.” Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, Sept. 2013, Vol. 47, No. 9, pp. 819-827. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23553240 .
  21. Darney, P.D., et al. “Digoxin to facilitate late second-trimester abortion: a randomized, masked, placebo-controlled trial.,” Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vol. 97, Issue 3, Mar.2001, pp. 471-476. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11239659 .
  22. Induction Abortion – Third Trimester. (Accessed October 2021). abortionprocedures.comhttps://www.abortionprocedures.com/induction/#1466802482689-777ef64c-4991.
  23. Dolle, J. M. (2009, April 1). Risk Factors for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer in Women Under the Age of 45 Years. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. https://cebp.aacrjournals.org/content/18/4/1157.full
  24. Induction of fetal demise before abortion. (in press). Society of Family Planning. https://www.societyfp.org/_documents/resources/InductionofFetalDemise.pdf
  25. L, W., T, P., & J, S. (1982, September 1). Significance of cervical Chlamydia trachomatis infection in postabortal pelvic inflammatory disease. Abstract – Europe PMC. https://europepmc.org/article/med/7121913
  26. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease – CDC Fact Sheet. (1999). CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/std/pid/stdfact-pid.htm
  27. STD Facts – Syphilis. (2017, June). CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/stdfact-syphilis.htm
  28. About HIV/AIDS | HIV Basics | HIV/AIDS | CDC. (2021, June). CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/whatishiv.html
  29. STD Facts – Human papillomavirus (HPV). (2021, January). CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm
  30. L, W., T, P., & J, S. (1982, September 1). Significance of cervical Chlamydia trachomatis infection in postabortal pelvic inflammatory disease. Abstract – Europe PMC. https://europepmc.org/article/med/7121913
  31. STD Facts – Chlamydia. (2014, January). CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/std/Chlamydia/stdfact-Chlamydia.htm
  32. STD Facts – Gonorrhea. (2014, January). CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/std/gonorrhea/stdfact-gonorrhea.htm