Many women are prepared for the physical effects an abortion can have on their bodies, but fewer anticipate the emotional toll. Terminating a pregnancy is a significant life event, and it is not uncommon for women to experience a range of emotions after the procedure.
Abortion can affect every woman differently, and it is essential to know all the facts to make an informed decision about your next step.
As with any medical procedure, even if you plan to have a medication abortion, feelings of anxiety are quite common. But what other feelings should you anticipate?
According to the American Pregnancy Association, common emotions women experience after an abortion can include:
Studies report that some women begin feeling these emotions immediately following the abortion or over a more extended period.
Depression can be one of the more serious emotional side effects of abortion, and it’s essential to know the warning signs to find the help and support you need. Depression is a mental health and mood disorder.
Often, people who experience depression report feelings that include:
A good support system is critical, whether you’re considering the abortion pill or surgical abortion.
Our pregnancy services are offered at no cost because we care deeply about you and your health. Abortion is a difficult decision. Our team is available to listen with respect and to provide support as you think about your future. Reach out to us today!
Abortion is a serious medical procedure, and part of your decision-making process involves assessing your risks. Depending on the type of abortion, potential issues could include heavy bleeding, infection, internal damage or scarring, and incomplete abortion. Here’s what to know as you consider the next step for your health.
According to the Mayo Clinic, “having a medical abortion is a major decision with emotional and psychological consequences.”
What is known as the abortion pill is usually a combination of two powerful medications: mifepristone and misoprostol. Potential risks of mifepristone include:
Before having a surgical abortion, the National Institutes of Health recommends weighing your choices and discussing your feelings with someone you trust.
Risks of a surgical abortion include:
While major physical complications like the above risks don’t happen to every woman, they are possible. However, some side effects are common and expected parts of how an abortion works.
These side effects include vaginal bleeding and cramping. The FDA also notes that nausea, weakness, headache, and diarrhea often happen soon after taking the abortion pill.
Here are some ways you can manage your risks as you consider abortion:
To get a better picture of potential risks, you should know the type of abortion you are eligible for. Abortion types largely depend on how far along you are in your pregnancy.
If you aren’t certain if you’re pregnant or how long you’ve been pregnant, call or text us at (520) 221-3530. We can help connect you with an ultrasound to confirm this information for free.
Some factors could increase your risk of complications or even mean that a particular type of abortion won’t work for your unique situation.
For example, having an untreated STD may increase the risk of complications from an abortion. Women who have an ectopic pregnancy should not take the abortion pill (an ultrasound will let you know if your pregnancy is in this category).
Before having an abortion, rule out factors like this to be safe. We can provide you with STD information and medical care referrals to help.
Health experts recommend fully exploring your options to make a confident and informed choice about your future.
Our caring team is here to listen and to help you sort through your possibilities. There’s no judgment, and we don’t profit from any decision you make.
Contact us today to make a free and confidential appointment.
Plan B is emergency contraception designed to be taken within hours of having unprotected sex. The abortion pill ends an early pregnancy up to 70 days. Learning more about each option can help you determine the next best step for your health. Here’s what you need to know.
If you’ve recently had unprotected sex and aren’t hoping to be pregnant, you may be wondering if you need the abortion pill or Plan B.
It’s important to know that Plan B and the abortion pill are not the same. They have different ingredients, and they are taken in different situations.
Plan B is also called the morning-after pill because it is intended to be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex, up to 72 hours later. Its purpose is to prevent a pregnancy from starting.
There are a few different types of emergency contraception. Plan B uses a drug called levonorgestrel.
Plan B does not always work to prevent pregnancy. It’s not recommended for routine use, and it doesn’t protect against STIs. Like any medication, it may have side effects, and it may not be suitable for you, depending on your own unique health situation.
If you have questions about Plan B or if you need STD/STI information, we can help. Text us at (520) 221-3530 – our services are free and confidential.
The abortion pill is actually a combination of two separate drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol, that are taken at two separate times. Its purpose is to end an established pregnancy that is up to ten weeks along.
As with Plan B, the abortion pill has risks and side effects. If you’re considering the abortion pill, it’s crucial to first confirm how far along you are in your pregnancy as well as to know whether or not your pregnancy is ectopic.
These conditions impact whether or not you are eligible to take the abortion pill. This can be learned through an ultrasound exam. If you’re not sure if you’re pregnant, contact us for a free pregnancy test in Benson. We may also be able to assist you with a free ultrasound.
If your birth control failed or you think you might be pregnant for any other reason, take a deep breath. We get it, and we’re here for you.
Call or text us today for free and confidential support!
The abortion pill may seem convenient, but it does come with risks to your physical and mental health. Women may experience infection, heavy bleeding, sadness, and grief after this pregnancy decision.
We know the pressure you may feel to make a quick decision about your unplanned pregnancy, but it’s vital to understand your options. Consider the risks before taking your next step.
Known by many as medical abortion, the abortion pill involves two different abortion drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol. The first drug, mifepristone, causes the lining of the uterus to thin, as it blocks the womb from absorbing progesterone, a hormone made during pregnancy. Then, misoprostol works to contract the uterus and expel the pregnancy.
It’s essential to note that medical abortion is only recommended for women up to 10 weeks pregnant. Otherwise, surgical abortion is necessary.
As a serious medical procedure, medical abortion presents physical risks to your health. Some of the common risks, according to the Mayo Clinic, include:
There are just as many mental health risks as physical risks when it comes to abortion. According to the Louisiana Department of Health, women experience different emotions after an abortion.
Common emotions women feel after abortion are guilt, sadness, emptiness, and relief. There have been other psychological effects reported by women after their abortion, including depression, grief, anxiety, lowered self-esteem, regret, attachment, flashbacks, and substance abuse.
Now that you know some of the physical and mental risks, only you can ultimately make the final pregnancy decision.
Before an abortion, you will first want to confirm your pregnancy with a pregnancy test and ultrasound. We offer free pregnancy tests and ultrasound referrals to help you determine what type of abortion you’re eligible for.
Schedule a free and confidential appointment today to learn more about abortion and your options. While providing free and confidential resources, we will come alongside you and support you during this time. You are not alone.
In most cases, Arizona Medicaid, known as the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), does not pay for abortion as part of its pregnancy services. However, if you are facing an unexpected pregnancy and are not sure what to do next, keep reading to learn more about the assistance available to you.
There are many reasons why women consider abortion, and concern about finances is one of them. If you’re unintentionally pregnant and are a member of AHCCCS, you may feel unsure of where to turn.
The best thing you can do first is to explore your situation, just like you’re doing now. You aren’t alone, and we are here to help you process these questions.
As government-funded insurance, AHCCCS does not include abortion in its coverage of pregnancy services, except in cases of rape, incest, or certain health circumstances.
We understand the stress of finances surrounding an unexpected pregnancy, and we want to help you learn more about your options. That’s why our pregnancy and support services are available to all at no cost, regardless of insurance coverage.
The out-of-pocket cost for abortion depends on a few factors, such as the type of abortion you have and who your provider is.
In Arizona, medication abortion (the abortion pill for early pregnancies) can cost between $500 and $600. Later types of surgical abortion can cost up to $2,500 because these in-clinic procedures are more invasive.
Abortion types depend on how far along you are in your pregnancy. The best way to confirm how far along you are is with an ultrasound.
If you haven’t had an ultrasound yet, talk with us and we can assist you with a no-cost ultrasound referral.
Before getting an abortion, you will want to confirm you are actually pregnant and that you are eligible for abortion.
Even if you’ve taken a home pregnancy test, there’s a chance it is giving you an inaccurate result (it’s rare, but it can happen!) or that you’re no longer currently pregnant (early miscarriages are common and can happen without your knowledge).
We want you to have the information you need so that you can know for sure.
Our caring team can provide support and resources during this stressful time, all at no cost to you.
Contact us today to schedule your free and confidential appointment.