If you are facing an unexpected pregnancy, you have an important decision to make. Unfortunately, deciding how to handle your pregnancy isn’t always easy. If you’re considering abortion, talking with a medical professional about your physical and emotional health is vital.
The Mayo Clinic encourages everyone considering abortion to learn as much about the procedures as possible, including the side effects and risks. Reviewing your current medications and any health issues is also critical.
Are You Eligible for the Abortion Pill?
There are a few reasons why you may not qualify for a medical abortion. Talking with a medical professional can help determine if this method is an option.
The following are some of the reasons to consider:
- You are too far along in your pregnancy. The FDA approves the use of abortion drugs for the abortion pill method through 10 weeks of pregnancy only.
- Do you know exactly how far along you are in your pregnancy? If not, use our free, confidential, limited OB ultrasound service. You’re automatically eligible for an ultrasound if you’ve received a positive pregnancy test at our center.
- An ultrasound correctly dates your pregnancy so you can determine if you qualify for the abortion pill method.
- You have an intrauterine device (IUD) currently in place.
- You have a suspected pregnancy outside of the uterus. This type of pregnancy is called an ectopic pregnancy. Although rare, it can cause serious health complications.
- An ultrasound determines the location of your pregnancy and can ensure its location is correct.
- You have certain medical conditions. Some of the health conditions that disqualify you from using the abortion pill method include anemia, some bleeding disorders, adrenal failure, heart disease, and more.
- You take a blood thinner. All abortions involve a certain amount of bleeding, and heavy and prolonged bleeding is a risk. Taking a blood thinner or certain steroid medicines can cause health problems.
- You can’t reach a healthcare professional or don’t have access to emergency care. Since you usually administer the abortion drugs in your home, you need to be able to contact someone if you experience heavy bleeding, severe contractions, an incomplete abortion, fever, or an infection.
- Your healthcare professional reviews your current medications and overall health to determine if you are allergic to the drugs you would be taking.
- You will also want to discuss your emotional health with your healthcare professional. Some women report mental health issues following an abortion. Talking with a medical professional beforehand can help determine if this choice is right for you.
How Can the Pregnancy Resource Center Assist Me?
If you’re experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and need more information about abortion procedures, side effects, and risks, we’re happy to talk with you. However, we do not perform or refer for abortion.
We can provide a free and confidential ultrasound to give you some of the answers you need. To request your free appointment, fill out our convenient online contact form. We also have a mobile medical unit for your convenience—call (970) 707-8325 for locations.
We look forward to meeting you and giving you the information you need to make a confident decision.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.