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What Should I Do Before Having An Abortion?

carissa486
3 days ago
2 min read

Before having an abortion, there are a few steps you should take to ensure your health and safety:

  • Confirm your pregnancy at a medical clinic

  • Determine how far along you are

  • Test for STIs



Why should I confirm my pregnancy before an abortion?

Confirming your pregnancy is the first step in any pregnancy decision. 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage on their own, meaning an abortion may not be necessary. It is important to confirm that the pregnancy is progressing normally and in the uterus. If the pregnancy is occurring outside the uterus, you need to seek immediate medical attention as this is a life-threatening condition. The abortion pill will not work on a pregnancy outside the uterus.



Why do I need to know how far along I am before having an abortion?

Knowing how far along you are before an abortion is important as it may determine what procedures you are eligible for.

The abortion pill is only approved by the FDA for use through the first ten weeks of pregnancy. Taking the abortion pill if you are farther along may increase your risk of dangerous adverse effects or an incomplete abortion. Adverse effects of taking the abortion pill may include:

  • Nausea/vomiting

  • Weakness

  • Fever/chills

  • Headache

  • Diarrhea 

  • Dizziness

  • Infection

  • Sepsis

  • Hemorrhaging 

  • Death

The only way to know for sure how far along you are is by ultrasound.



Why should I test for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) before having an abortion?

When getting an abortion, either by the pill or surgically, the cervix is opened to expel the contents of the uterus. This allows for infections to move upward into the rest of the reproductive tract where they can cause long-term damage such as infertility or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).



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