If abortion is one of the options you’re considering, you may already be researching the abortion pill, surgical procedures, cost, or where abortions are available.
There are also a few questions about the pregnancy itself that are important to answer. How far along are you? Is the pregnancy located in the uterus, and is the pregnancy progressing?
Care Net Las Vegas will help you get the answers you need. We offer no-cost lab-quality pregnancy testing and can provide an ultrasound referral when appropriate. Our caring team also provides information on all your options so you can make an educated decision.
Schedule an appointment today to get started, and keep reading to learn what to consider if you’re contemplating an abortion.
Find Out How Far Along You Are
Gestational age affects which abortion information applies to you.
The abortion pill uses mifepristone and misoprostol and is FDA-approved only through 10 weeks of gestation. Taking abortion drugs after this timeframe isn’t advised, so surgical abortion procedures are used at later points in pregnancy.
You may have an estimate based on the first day of your last menstrual period, but that date isn’t always exact, particularly if your cycles are irregular or you aren’t sure when your last period began.
An ultrasound can provide additional information about how far along you are, which will help determine the options available to you.
Pregnancy Location Matters
A pregnancy test detects hCG, also known as a pregnancy hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin. It doesn’t tell you where the pregnancy implanted; only an ultrasound can do this.
In rare cases, an ectopic pregnancy develops outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube. An ectopic pregnancy cannot continue normally and can become a medical emergency if the tube ruptures.
Abortion drugs cannot be used for an ectopic pregnancy. In fact, you’ll need immediate treatment to prevent life-threatening complications.
If you have severe abdominal or pelvic pain, shoulder pain, heavy bleeding, dizziness, or fainting, seek medical attention right away.
Know What the Procedure Involves
Medical and surgical abortions work differently.
A medical abortion causes vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping as the drugs end and expel the pregnancy. Possible risks include heavy bleeding, infection, an incomplete abortion that requires additional treatment, or an ongoing pregnancy.
Surgical abortion removes the pregnancy from the uterus using suction, medical instruments, or both. Possible risks can include infection, injury to the cervix, uterine perforation, and scar tissue formation.
You will want to ask a healthcare provider how your medical history could affect these risks. Discussing this history will help you make a decision that prioritizes your health and well-being and provide an opportunity to ask questions.
Start With the Information You Don’t Have Yet
You don’t need to arrive at an appointment already knowing what you want to do.
Care Net Las Vegas offers no-cost, lab-quality pregnancy testing. If you receive a positive result, the team can provide an ultrasound referral to help you get all the information you need. We’ll also discuss your options, including abortion, to help you determine your next steps.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment and speak with us. We’re here to help.
Care Net Las Vegas does not provide or refer for abortions.
All abortion information in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.