Things to Consider Before Pursuing an Abortion
Many women who find themselves facing an unwanted pregnancy will consider abortion as their first option; however, choosing an abortion may not even be a decision they have to consider. Determining fetus viability should be the first step in the abortion decision-making process.
Pre-Abortion Viability Determination
Before seeking an abortion, it is important to confirm you are actually pregnant. Pregnancy hormones may cause a positive home pregnancy test, but that doesn’t necessarily result in a viable pregnancy. Why? A positive pregnancy test only shows a potential pregnancy. As many as 1 in 4 early pregnancies end in a miscarriage. In many of these early miscarriage cases, hCG levels could still be present. Therefore, you can still have a positive pregnancy test and not actually be pregnant. If there is no viability or heartbeat, a woman will no longer have a decision to make. The pregnancy may naturally or have already terminated on its own.
The Importance of an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion
Even if you are pregnant, the next step is to find out if the pregnancy is viable and to learn how many weeks along you are. For a fetus to be classified as viable, there needs to be uterine implantation and a heartbeat. The best way to determine both criteria is with an ultrasound. Having an early ultrasound can confirm the pregnancy is progressing normally inside the uterus. For women who have experienced miscarriages or ectopic pregnancies, ultrasounds can be extremely important.
If a fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus, it is considered an ectopic pregnancy. This is a life-threatening condition that requires surgery. It is very important to determine if a pregnancy is ectopic or not when considering abortion, especially the abortion pill. The abortion pill will not have an effect on an ectopic pregnancy, thus causing potential harm if taken without an ultrasound to determine pregnancy location. The ectopic pregnancy will likely continue after taking the abortion pill, and the fetus can continue growing and developing, which can be life-threatening to the woman.
An ultrasound will provide additional information about the fetal development at that particular stage of the pregnancy. If no fetal heat tones are detected during an ultrasound, a natural miscarriage should result. This eliminates the need to make a decision regarding the pregnancy.
Where to Get an Ultrasound Prior to Scheduling an Abortion
There are pregnancy centers across the nation that offer free ultrasounds to those women considering abortion. Many of these centers include the following in their consultations:
- Free pregnancy testing
- Medically-Accurate Abortion Information
- Limited Obstetrical Ultrasound
- Pregnancy Options Education
The center’s goal is to provide safe, confidential, and non-judgmental care to those who are pregnant and to those who think of abortion as their only option. They are available to help women get the important information they need to make an informed decision. They do not profit from a woman’s choice regarding their pregnancy. If you are pregnant, or considering abortion or taking the abortion pill, contact your local pregnancy center.