If you’re reading this, you likely had a positive pregnancy test and are trying to figure out the next steps you need to take.
Regardless of how you feel about this new development, you have three options: abortion, parenting, and adoption. Each one of these options will impact your life in a unique way, so make sure you’re confident before making a decision.
Here are the three things you need before an abortion:
#1. Pregnancy Confirmation
Every at-home pregnancy test works the same way, by measuring the amount of hCG pregnancy hormones in your urine. If this amount rises to a detectable level, it will trigger a positive pregnancy test.
While these tests are 99% accurate when taken as directed, your positive test could be false due to a very early miscarriage, known as a chemical pregnancy. This is very common and typically happens before the 5th week of pregnancy.
You could also have a false positive due to certain medications, such as the anti-anxiety medications Xanax or Valium. Medical conditions such as a urinary tract infection, kidney infection, or ovarian cyst can also cause false positives, but this is very rare.
We can confirm your pregnancy test with lab-quality pregnancy testing and an ultrasound.
#2. An Ultrasound Scan
In addition to confirming your positive pregnancy test, an ultrasound will also give you key details about your pregnancy, including how far along you are, if it’s viable, and its location.
How Far Along You Are (Gestation)
Knowing how far along you are will help you figure out which options are available to you.
A medication abortion (the abortion pill) is only FDA-approved for women who are ten weeks pregnant or less. After this time window, women only qualify for a surgical abortion, which is invasive and more expensive.
If Your Pregnancy Is Viable (Has a Heartbeat)
An ultrasound will also confirm you have a viable, progressing pregnancy. This means there’s a heartbeat and you haven’t miscarried. If you’ve miscarried, your body will likely resolve this on its own. However, following up with your doctor will ensure you’ve passed all the tissue.
The Location of Your Pregnancy (Not Ectopic)
Finally, an ultrasound will ensure your pregnancy is growing inside your uterus, and not in another location (ectopic pregnancy).
The most common form of ectopic pregnancy is a tubal pregnancy when the fertilized egg attaches and grows in a fallopian tube. If untreated, this can lead to tubal rupture, which is a life-threatening event.
#3 STD Testing and Treatment
It’s not a good idea to have an abortion without first having STD testing and treatment.
If left untreated, sexually-transmitted infections or diseases can spread deeper into the reproductive system during an abortion. This can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), which can cause permanent damage to your reproductive system and threaten your future fertility.
Take Your First Step at the Pregnancy Care Center of Petoskey.
Confirm your pregnancy with lab-quality testing and ultrasound for no cost. Our caring and professional staff will discuss your options and answer any questions you have. We’re here to assist you while you weigh your options.
Contact us today and we’ll schedule a time that works for you.