Were you as surprised as she was when she told you she was pregnant? An unplanned pregnancy can cause fear and panic. Before you make any decisions about the abortion pill, you need more information about the pregnancy.
Here are some questions you need to answer:
- How many weeks has she actually been pregnant?
- Did she confirm the pregnancy with an at-home pregnancy test or a clinic test?
- Do you know where to get the information you need?
- Are you both aware of the potential risks of the abortion pill?
- What are Pennsylvania’s abortion laws?
- Do you know you have options?
Fortunately, the staff at North Care Women’s Clinic can answer all of those questions for you.
Why do you need to know how many weeks she’s been pregnant?
The abortion pill is a medical abortion. The pregnancy is terminated by taking two different drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol. According to the Mayo Clinic, Mifepristone (Mifeprex) is taken to block the hormone progesterone, causing the lining of the uterus to thin and preventing the embryo from staying implanted and growing.
The second drug, misoprostol (Cytotec), causes the uterus to contract and expel the embryo through the vagina. The abortion pill method is only approved to be safely used up to 10 weeks and 0 days after the start of her last menstrual period.
Isn’t an at-home pregnancy test good enough?
Depending on the type of at-home pregnancy test, they are usually reliable. But because taking a pregnancy test is so stressful, many women don’t take them according to directions. Timing is important: most home tests can be taken on the first day of her missed period.
At North Care Women’s Clinic, we offer laboratory-quality pregnancy tests that can detect pregnancy 7-10 days after conception. They’re offered free of charge, performed by a medical professional and of course, test results are always confidential.
Come to North Care for the information you need
If our pregnancy test shows a positive result, she may also be able to receive an ultrasound free of charge. An ultrasound will determine how far along the pregnancy is, if it’s actually a viable pregnancy, and may show if there are any immediate health concerns, such as an ectopic pregnancy.
What are the potential risks of the abortion pill?
According to the Mayo Clinic, the potential risks from taking mifepristone and using the abortion pill method include:
- An incomplete abortion requiring additional action, such as a surgical abortion
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Serious infection
- Fever, nausea, vomiting
- Digestive system discomfort, severe stomach pain
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) highly regulates Mifeprex and strictly warns users not to buy it over the internet due to unsafe manufacturing and special safety restrictions.
What are Pennsylvania’s abortion pill laws?
The abortion pill is available by setting up an appointment with a local abortion clinic. The cost starts at around $435. According to the Pennsylvania Abortion Control Act, she has to speak with a doctor 24-hours before her procedure. The physician needs to discuss with her the abortion procedures, options, the gestational age of the child, and the medical risks.
If she’s under the age of 18, she’s also required to have a parent or legal guardian consent to the abortion, bring proof of age and her identity.
Do you know you have options?
If you and your girlfriend are facing an unplanned pregnancy, you have multiple options. At North Care Women’s Clinic, we’ll provide a free pregnancy test, ultrasound, and options consultation to talk about all of your options. All of our services are confidential.
We can also provide referrals to local agencies for medical, legal, and financial resources. Get the information you both need to make a confident decision. Schedule an appointment with North Care Women’s Clinic today.
