Facing an unplanned pregnancy can feel overwhelming and emotional. As you consider your next steps, it’s crucial to ensure you are equipped with accurate, up-to-date information and quality medical care. Whether you’re contemplating an abortion or simply exploring your options, safeguarding your health and wellness should be your top priority.
In this guide, we’ll break down the essential steps to take before seeking an abortion, empowering you to make informed decisions with confidence. Let’s dive into what you should know before an abortion.
1. Confirming Your Pregnancy: The First Essential Step
When you first suspect you might be pregnant, you might turn to an at-home pregnancy test. While these tests are generally reliable, they aren’t foolproof. Errors in usage, expired tests, or misinterpretation of results can lead to false positives or negatives.
Why Professional Pregnancy Testing Matters
Visiting a trusted healthcare provider for pregnancy testing offers several benefits:
- Accuracy: Trained medical professionals administer and interpret tests, minimizing errors.
- Guidance: You receive immediate counseling and answers to any questions you may have.
- Support: If the test is positive, a healthcare provider can guide you through your next steps, ensuring you feel supported throughout the process.
At Ava Health, we offer free, confidential pregnancy testing performed by licensed medical professionals. Our goal is to give you peace of mind and accurate information from the very beginning.
2. The Vital Importance of a Limited Ultrasound
After confirming your pregnancy, the next essential step is undergoing a limited ultrasound. An ultrasound is more than just an image; it’s a powerful diagnostic tool that provides crucial information about your pregnancy.
What an Ultrasound Can Tell You
- Gestational Age: Knowing exactly how far along you are is critical. Medication abortions, for instance, are FDA-approved up to 10 weeks gestation. Beyond that timeframe, other abortion methods might be necessary. Accurate dating prevents complications and ensures you’re aware of all available options.
- Pregnancy Location: An ultrasound determines whether the pregnancy is correctly located in the uterus. In cases of ectopic pregnancy (where the embryo implants outside the uterus), immediate medical intervention is required. An abortion will not treat an ectopic pregnancy, making this diagnosis lifesaving.
- Pregnancy Viability: It’s possible to have a positive pregnancy test but experience a miscarriage early in pregnancy. In fact, research shows that around 25% of pregnancies end in miscarriage. An ultrasound helps confirm whether the pregnancy is progressing normally or if there are concerns.
Without this critical information, you risk undergoing unnecessary procedures or facing unforeseen health risks.
3. STD Testing and Treatment: Protecting Your Reproductive Health
Being sexually active increases your risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), many of which can be asymptomatic. Before undergoing an abortion, STD testing is essential for preventing serious complications.
Why STD Testing is Necessary Before an Abortion
- Reducing the Risk of Infection: An untreated STD during an abortion procedure can lead to serious infections such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can cause chronic pain, infertility, and other reproductive health problems.
- Ensuring Comprehensive Care: Testing for STDs ensures that any infections are identified and treated promptly, reducing potential risks during or after an abortion.
- Peace of Mind: Knowing your STD status empowers you to take control of your reproductive health and ensures you receive the best care possible.
At Ava Health, we provide free STD testing and treatment, creating a safe and confidential environment for you to get the care you need.
Why Comprehensive Pre-Abortion Care Matters
Taking the time to verify your pregnancy, undergo an ultrasound, and get tested for STDs may feel like additional steps in an already stressful situation. However, these steps are vital for protecting your health and making informed decisions.
Your health is worth it. Every woman deserves compassionate, high-quality care when navigating an unplanned pregnancy. These essential services ensure you have a full understanding of your options, minimizing health risks and safeguarding your future.
What to Expect at Ava Health
When you schedule an appointment at Ava Health, here’s what you can expect:
- Confidentiality: Your privacy is paramount. Our staff is trained to provide discreet and respectful care.
- Professional Medical Services: From pregnancy testing to limited ultrasounds and STD testing, our licensed healthcare providers deliver top-quality care.
- Options Education: We offer judgment-free options education to help you explore all your options, answer your questions, and empower you to make the best decision for your unique situation.
- No-Cost Services: All our services are provided at no cost to you, because financial concerns should never stand in the way of essential healthcare.
Additional Considerations Before an Abortion
Understanding Your Abortion Options
Depending on your gestational age and health status, you may be eligible for different types of abortion procedures, including:
- Medication Abortion: Often called the “abortion pill,” this option is available for pregnancies up to 10 weeks. It involves taking two types of medication to end the pregnancy.
- In-Clinic Abortion Procedures: If you’re beyond 10 weeks, in-clinic procedures may be necessary. These procedures are performed by a healthcare provider and vary based on gestational age.
An ultrasound will help determine which options are available to you.
Being Informed About Possible Risks
Like any medical procedure, abortion carries potential risks and side effects, including:
- Heavy bleeding
- Infection
- Incomplete abortion requiring further treatment
- Emotional or psychological effects
Understanding these risks can help you make a fully informed decision and prepare for what to expect.
Emotional and Mental Health Support
Choosing whether or not to have an abortion can be an emotional journey. Many women experience a range of emotions, including relief, sadness, guilt, or confusion.
At Ava Health, we believe in holistic care. Our trained staff are available to provide emotional support, resources, and referrals to mental health professionals if needed.
Your Next Steps: Taking Control of Your Health
If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy, know that you are not alone. The first step toward taking control of your health and making an empowered decision is gathering all the information you need.
Here’s how you can get started:
- Schedule a Free Pregnancy Test: Confirm your pregnancy with a reliable medical test.
- Get a Limited Obstetric Ultrasound: Learn vital information about your pregnancy’s gestational age, location, and viability.
- Undergo STD Testing and Treatment: Protect yourself from infections that could impact your reproductive health.
- Receive Compassionate Education: Explore all your options in a confidential and supportive environment.
At Ava Health, we’re here for you every step of the way. Your health, safety, and peace of mind are our top priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ava Health an abortion provider?
No, Ava Health does not perform or refer for abortions. We provide essential pre-abortion services, including pregnancy testing, limited obstetric ultrasounds, STD testing, and support to help you make informed decisions.
How much do your services cost?
All services at Ava Health are provided at no cost to you.
Do I need an appointment?
While walk-ins are welcome, we encourage scheduling an appointment to ensure prompt service and minimize your wait time.
Will my visit be confidential?
Absolutely. Your privacy is of utmost importance to us. All services are confidential, and we comply with all applicable confidentiality and disclosure laws.
Contact Ava Health Today
Facing an unplanned pregnancy is challenging, but you don’t have to face it alone. Ava Health offers the support, care, and information you need to navigate this time with confidence and strength.
Contact us today to schedule your free appointment for pregnancy testing, STD testing, and a limited obstetric ultrasound. We are here for you when you need it most.
Sources
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American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Early Pregnancy Loss: Frequently Asked Questions. ACOG, 2021. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/early-pregnancy-loss.
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U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Mifepristone (Mifeprex). FDA, 2017. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/mifepristone-mifeprex.
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Mayo Clinic Staff. “Ectopic Pregnancy.” Mayo Clinic, 10 Dec. 2023. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/symptoms-causes/syc-20372088.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). CDC, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/pid/about/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/std/pid/stdfact-pid.htm.
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World Health Organization. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). WHO, 2022. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sexually-transmitted-infections-(stis)