Abortion Education
At Pregnancy Help Center of Chesterfield, we know how difficult the news of an unplanned pregnancy can be. The best way to handle any big decision is to become informed with accurate information and options. Make an appointment to find out answers to your questions like:
How do I make sure I am really pregnant? Even if you have already taken a home pregnancy test, schedule an appointment to meet with one of our trained advocates for a lab quality urine test.
Do I know how far along I am in my pregnancy and if I have a viable uterine pregnancy? An ultrasound can determine a baby’s development and if your pregnancy is viable under normal conditions. Contact us to find out which pregnancy centers in our area offer ultrasound.
Do I know all of my options? Meet with one of our advocates to learn about parenting, adoption and the different abortion procedures performed based on how far along you are..
What are the possible emotional and physical complications following an abortion? According to LifeSiteNews.com, “Common symptoms of PAS (Post Abortion Syndrome) include guilt, anxiety, depression, thoughts of suicide, drug or alcohol abuse, eating disorders, a desire to avoid children or pregnant women, and flashbacks to the abortion itself.”
The physical complications are infrequent in abortions performed in the early stages but increase as you go into later-term abortions. Those complications according to Care Net include: heavy bleeding, infection (from medical instruments or fetal parts left as the result of an incomplete abortion), sepsis (total body infection), complications from anesthesia, damage to cervix, scarring the uterine lining, puncturing or tearing of the uterus by instruments, damage to bowel and bladder and in extreme cases death due to any of the above complications.
What are my legal rights? When faced with an unplanned pregnancy, your three legal options are: abortion, adoption and parenting. No one can force you into having an abortion. You and only you can sign the consent form at the abortion clinic and you can change your mind even when you are on the table. You have the right to make sure your abortion is performed by a licensed physician who is insured and has medical privileges at a hospital in case there are any complications.
What if I change my mind? According to the American Pregnancy Association, if you take Mifepristone (RU-486) and you have second thoughts, you can request the abortion pill reversal procedure, a large influx of Progesterone that counteracts the Mifepristone. It must be started (within 72 hours) and before the second set of pills (Misoprostal) is taken to complete the abortion process. If you want to reverse your medically induced abortion, go to abortionpillreversal.com or call 877-558-0333.
What about The Morning After Pill? The Morning After Pill, or Plan B, is considered emergency contraception and not 100% effective at preventing pregnancy. According to virginiapregnancy.org, “The Morning After Pill contains a high dose of progesterone. If used in the first 72 hours after unprotected sex it may prevent ovulation, may affect the lining of the fallopian tubes preventing the sperm to reach the egg and it may irritate the lining of the uterus making it difficult for a fertilized egg to implant causing a very early abortion.”
End Notes:
Care Net sites Katz V, et al. Comprehensive Gynecology and Medical Management of Abortion. ACOG
https://www.abortionpillreversal.com/
http://www.virginiapregnancy.org/TheMorningAfterandAbortionPills