Abortion
Before you get an abortion:
1. Verify Your Pregnancy-
Before getting any type of abortion, you first need to know if you are actually pregnant. Even if you have pregnancy symptoms or have taken a home test, you may want help verifying your pregnancy. Pathways Pregnancy Clinic provides laboratory-quality pregnancy testing that is 99% accurate and offers eligible clients a limited ultrasound at no cost to confirm the viability of your pregnancy and to determine how far along you are.
2. Get an ultrasound-
An ultrasound is an important next step if you are considering terminating your pregnancy. Different abortion methods are used at different stages of pregnancy. An ultrasound will tell you how many weeks pregnant you are, which will tell you more about the options available to you. An ultrasound will also tell you if your pregnancy is viable (meaning there is a heartbeat and the pregnancy is located in the uterus) or if you might naturally miscarry.
3. Get tested for STIs-
Before choosing an abortion clinic, get tested for STIs. Many women with STIs are asymptomatic and do not realize they are infected. Women who undergo a termination procedure with an untreated STI are up to 5 - 20% more likely to develop PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease) following the abortion procedure, if not given antibiotics. PID can lead to serious consequences including infertility, ectopic pregnancy, abscess formation and chronic pelvic pain. Our client advocates can provide resources and referrals for STI testing.
Learn More
Schedule an appointment today to find out more about the services and resources available at Pathways. You can schedule an appointment by phone, or by using our online scheduler.
Walk-ins are also welcome.
Understanding Abortion Procedures
Different abortion methods are used to end pregnancy based on how far along you are. You deserve to know the facts and be fully informed. At Pathways Pregnancy Clinic, we share evidence-based medical education with you about the different abortion methods that may be available to you. Our caring staff will help you understand what you can expect from each type of abortion procedure and present documented abortion risk factors so that you can make an informed decision.
Abortion Pill (Medical Abortion)
Medical or non-surgical abortion uses RU-486 or other types of chemicals to terminate an early pregnancy. This method of termination is used up to 70 days after a woman’s last menstrual period. Medical abortion may involve up to 3 office visits and may require a surgical procedure if the medical abortion is incomplete.
Surgical Abortion
If you’re not a candidate for a medical abortion or if the medical abortion fails, a surgical abortion would be necessary. As the name implies, a surgical abortion is a surgical procedure ending a pregnancy by emptying the uterus (or womb) using surgical instruments. There are different types of surgical procedures and different methods (depending on how far along you are).
No One Can Decide For You
When faced with an unintended pregnancy everyone wants to give their opinion about what you should do. But it’s YOUR decision, and no one should decide for you. Our medical staff and client advocates will give you the guidance and support you need to make an informed decision for yourself. No one can force you to terminate your pregnancy, even if you are a minor.
If You Are Considering an Abortion
If you are considering getting an abortion, ask yourself these questions.
- Am I really pregnant?
- How far along in the pregnancy am I?
- Is my pregnancy viable, or am I at risk for a natural miscarriage?
- Do I have an STI?
- What will happen during an abortion?
- What happens after an abortion?
- Are there other options available to me?
- What if I have already had an abortion?