I Don’t Want to be Pregnant. Is Abortion the Only Option?

If you are finding yourself unexpectedly pregnant or perhaps you’re feeling pressure from those around you to seek an abortion, you could be wondering: is abortion the only option? Your pregnancy decision is entirely yours to make. 

Take a moment, take a deep breath and know that you’re not alone in this journey. You have options available to you other than abortion. 

You deserve to have all the information at your disposal to make an empowered, informed choice. There is support and resources available to you along the way. 

Is Abortion the Only Option? What Do I Need to Know About Abortion? 

So, you’re wondering is abortion the only option?  Abortion seems like a simple solution, it is important for you to know the reality that abortion is a serious medical procedure. What method of abortion may be medically appropriate for each patient’s unique needs depends on a variety of factors, one of the most important being how far along in pregnancy the patient is. 

Medical or Medication Abortion

One method of abortion is the abortion pill, also known as medical or medication abortion. This takes place through two separate doses of medication taken over several hours or up to a couple of days in duration. The FDA only approves the use of the abortion pill to terminate early pregnancies up to 10 weeks gestational age, so it is vital to know how far along you are to protect your health and safety before pursuing this abortion method. 

As with other serious medical undertakings, medical abortion has a number of possible physical risks, such as incomplete abortion, infection, heavy/prolonged bleeding, fever, or digestive discomfort. 

Surgical Abortion

Another form of abortion, known as surgical abortion, is an in-clinic procedure, typically performed under the supervision of a physician. This method typically uses medical instruments to remove the fetus and remaining tissue from the uterus. Often, some form of sedation is used during these procedures, and due to this and the more serious list of potential risks, there is often a higher monetary cost to surgical abortion than other methods. 

Risks of surgical abortion may include:

• Damage to the womb
• Damage to the cervix
• Uterine perforation
• Excessive bleeding

Is Abortion the Only Option? What About Adoption? Is It an Option for Me? 

Is abortion the only option?

Before you make a decision, take a closer look at adoption.

Perhaps you have a picture in your mind of what adoption looks like. However, adoption has changed a lot in recent years – are you aware of the host of potential adoption plans available to birth parents today? 

How Do Today’s Adoptions Work?

Birth parents will typically work with an adoption agency to select which level of contact with their child (and, subsequently, their child’s adoptive family) makes the most sense for them. Potential adoption plans may include open adoptions (where there is regular communication and sometimes visitation between birth parents and children), closed adoptions (where the identities of the birth parents are kept completely private and there is no contact with the child), or semi-open adoptions (a middle ground with some measure of communication or contact, typically facilitated by the adoption agency). 

It’s important to recognize that adoption is often not an easy choice to make and may involve a host of emotions, from relief and joy to guilt and fear. However, it does answer the question, is abortion the only option? But adoption can also be an incredibly rewarding experience that provides the chance for a bright, healthy future for both the child and the birth parents. 

Could Parenting Be Possible for Me? 

There are lots of questions and thoughts to consider when it comes to parenting. You might feel overwhelmed thinking about what this path might look like for you, or maybe you’re worried about how you might provide for a child. This may cause you to wonder, ‘is abortion the only option?’

While choosing to parent can be challenging and life-altering, it may also be the most rewarding experience of your life with the right support. Our team at Life Line Pregnancy Center is here to help you navigate your parenting journey if you choose this path. 

Don’t know where to start? Consider discussing with us how we can empower you in your pregnancy decision journey. Confirm your pregnancy first with a medical professional and gain more information on the options available to you. 

Schedule your free appointment today to get the answers you need.