Abortion -Procedures and Clinics, a life-changing choice

You are not alone. Many other women felt the same way that you do, and many of those women who had an abortion now wish they had been given all the facts before making that life-altering decision. Abortion changed everything for them.

Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy. Natural abortion can occur spontaneously due to complications during pregnancy. This is commonly known as miscarriage. Induced abortion is a surgical or medical procedure that terminates a pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo, resulting in or caused by its death.

There are various abortion procedures that are listed below so that you can make an informed, confident decision that is best for you.

1. First Trimester Aspiration Abortion between 4-13 weeks after last menstrual period(LMP)
2. Dilation and Evacuation (D&E) between 13 to 24 weeks after LMP
3. Dilation and Evacuation (D & E) After Potential Viability: about 24 weeks and up
4. Medication Abortion RU486 (Abortion Pill)
5. Medical Methods for Second Trimester Induced Abortion

To check out these procedures one-by-one for complete details click here.

Whether you choose abortion, or the decision you make about your pregnancy will affect you for the rest of your life. Talk with trusted family members and friends. Also, there are caring, trained counselors who are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to help you through this confusing and difficult time. There is no cost for the counseling and it is completely confidential. Call 1-800-712-4357 to talk with a counselor or contact them online.

YourOptions (A project of the Vitae Foundation) is focused on providing the facts you need to make an informed decision about your pregnancy. YourOptions does not promote abortions nor link to abortion providers. Although we do not promote abortions, we know that it is an option you may be considering. We believe that by empowering you with information, you can make an informed, confident decision in regards to abortion.

Would you like to know what other women who have had an abortion say about how it has affected them and their lives? Here are some stories from women who have made that choice.

Other Resources: Read more related information on Unplanned Pregnancy

Effects of Unintended or Unplanned Pregnancy

An unplanned pregnancy can spark many different emotions and leave you feeling lost, scared, angry, overwhelmed, and/or confused. All of these emotions and many others are normal. You didn’t plan on this happening at this time in your life, and right now there doesn’t appear to be any good solution.

Unintended | Unplanned Pregnancy

Your mind is probably racing and you may be asking yourself a million questions…

How could this happen to me?
What will my family say?
What will my friends say?
How am I going to finish school?
How will this affect my job?
Is my social life over?
Will the drinking/smoking I did affect the baby’s health?
How can I afford to have a baby?
What are my options?
What do I do?

YourOptions is intended to help you answer some of these questions and make a good informed decision that you are confident in.

It is your life…you deserve to make an informed decision.

Take some time to read or watch stories from other women who have been in similar situations. Learn more about what you can expect with pregnancy, and get information about all of your options. If you still have questions, or just want to talk with someone in confidence, give OptionLine a call at 800-712-4357(HELP) or click here for more contact information.

Pregnant! What do I do now?

If you think you may be pregnant! You need to confirm it first.

You can start by taking a home pregnancy test (HPT).  HPTs are inexpensive, private, easy to use, and mostly accurate.  However, the only way to confirm a pregnancy is through a physician’s diagnosis.  You will need to schedule an appointment with your family doctor or obstetrician/gynecologist. You can also find the local maternity services of your area.

Knowing that you are pregnant
When you find out or confirmed that you are pregnant, you may feel joyful and energized, or may be stunned, puzzled and may be upset. It depends on your conditions because everybody is different, and having different type of conditions at this stage. No need to worry if you are not feeling as happy as you have expected. Even if you have been trying to get pregnant, your feelings may take you by surprise.

What do I do now?

Your pregnancy will be treated confidentially, even if you are under the age of 16. Your GP or midwife will tell you about your choices for antenatal (pregnancy) care in your local area. Being pregnant may affect the treatment of any current illness or condition you may have or go on to develop. The common problems in pregnancy, includes morning sickness, headaches, bleeding, etc.

If you don’t have one or don’t feel comfortable going to your doctor, then there are centers which offer FREE pregnancy testing and are completely confidential.  Many of the centers also perform ultrasounds at no cost.  You will need to have an ultrasound to determine how far along you are in your pregnancy.

If you're pregnant and not sure you want to be, YourOptions explains the choices you have. You can also talk to a GP.

Think you may be pregnant?

You may be facing one of the most difficult decisions you ever have to make. This was not in your plans… Your world is turned upside down, and you are suddenly questioning everything you ever thought or believed.

It is okay to be scared…The good thing is that you do have options.

First, you need to determine if you are even pregnant. How do I know if I'm pregnant?

If you already know you are pregnant, take some time to learn more about each of your options and to understand pregnancy.

This site will walk you through many questions you may have. YourOptions is focused on providing you the facts you need to know so that you can make an informed, confident decision that is best for you. YourOptions does not promote or refer for abortion services. But we know that it is an option that many women consider. Since it is an option, we want to provide you with as much information about abortion as well as parenting and adoption so that you have all the facts needed to make your own decision.

Do you want to see what other women did when faced with a similar situation and how it worked out for them? There are personal testimonies on this site about parenting, adoption and abortion. Check out these stories and how decisions impacted their lives.