Abortion is a serious medical procedure that comes with potential risks and side effects.
The potential risks of medical abortion, also known as the abortion pill, include an incomplete abortion, an ongoing pregnancy, heavy and prolonged bleeding, infection, fever, and digestive system discomfort.
Before considering abortion, talk with a healthcare provider to evaluate your current health status. There are certain conditions that could rule out the abortion pill as the safest abortion method for your situation.
Who Might Be Ineligible for the Abortion Pill?
According to the Mayo Clinic, there are certain conditions that may rule out the abortion pill as an option:
- Being too far along in your pregnancy (the abortion pill is only FDA-approved through ten weeks gestation)
- Having an IUD currently in place
- Having a pregnancy outside the uterus (an ectopic pregnancy)
- Having certain medical conditions
- Taking a blood thinner
- Being unable to make follow-up visits to your provider or access emergency care
- Having an allergy to any of the drugs used
Mental Health Considerations
Every woman will react differently to an abortion experience. While the existence of negative mental health effects after abortion is controversial, experts agree that at least some women experience them.
Women who are more at risk for negative mental health impacts are those who are pressured into an abortion decision, have existing maternal desires, have conflicting moral beliefs, or have a history of mental health issues.
Make sure to ask yourself hard questions as you consider your options. Are you being pressured? Do you want abortion to be a part of your story?
What Else Should I Know?
Before considering the abortion pill, you should collect a few facts about your health:
- Do you have any existing untreated STIs?
- How far along are you in your pregnancy?
- Is your pregnancy progressing, or have you miscarried?
- Where is your pregnancy located (inside or outside the uterus)?
An appointment at CareNet Pregnancy Centers of Albuquerque can help answer these questions with STI testing and treatment, pregnancy testing, and an ultrasound.
CareNet provides all of these services at no cost to you.
Schedule an appointment at one of our five locations today!