Abortion Health and Safety: What You Need to Know Before You Decide
No woman wants to be in a position to make a decision about an unexpected pregnancy. You feel suddenly thrown into an unfamiliar world of pressure, confusion, and unreliable advice.
In the midst of the chaos, there is good news. You can be empowered to make a confident decision with accurate and unbiased information. At Thrive St. Louis, we provide confidential and compassionate support as you examine your options.
There are important answers you need about abortion health and safety before you make a decision about your unplanned pregnancy. If you’re considering abortion, here are some tips about abortion health and safety that you need to know before you decide.
You need to know the information provided by an ultrasound.
A pregnancy test simply confirms that a pregnancy hormone was detected in your urine. However, an ultrasound confirms those hormones are truly there due to a pregnancy. It also pinpoints how far along you are in your pregnancy as well as the viability of the pregnancy. This information can help you avoid having an unnecessary abortion. In addition, an ultrasound also confirms that a pregnancy is in the uterus and not ectopic. An ectopic pregnancy requires emergency treatment.
Thrive St. Louis offers a medical-grade pregnancy test. If it’s positive, we also provide the necessary ultrasound in order to give you the answers you need before you decide about your pregnancy.
You need to know if you have a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
The most common STDs are often symptomless, and if you have an abortion with an untreated STD, you could be at risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID is an infection of a woman’s reproductive organs, which can cause pain, scarring, and infertility. If you have a confirmed pregnancy, we provide you with low-cost/no-cost STD testing to avoid this serious complication.
You need to know and understand the side effects and risks of abortion.
All procedures have risks; medical and surgical abortions are no exception. In addition to emotional risks, potential physical risks can include hemorrhage, PID, damage to the cervix or uterus, and incomplete abortion, which requires another procedure.
You need to know the decision is yours.
Making a decision about an unplanned pregnancy is a big one, and it’s one that only you can make. If you’re feeling pressured by anyone to make a decision that doesn’t feel comfortable to you or to decide too quickly, take a step back. That person may have a personal investment in your decision, which isn’t healthy for you. Instead, turn to those who have nothing to gain or lose by the outcome of your choice.
Resist pressure to make a decision if you have hesitation. We have resources available to you to help you make sense of the uncertainty.
Connect with Us
Make an appointment with us at Thrive St. Louis as soon as you think you might be pregnant. Our licensed professional healthcare providers offer confidential, no-cost services in a non-judgmental and caring environment. We thoughtfully listen and answer all of your questions so that you can confidently decide your best option.
