Abortion is a serious medical procedure. It’s critical to verify your pregnancy, find out key health details, and receive STI testing before moving forward.
When contemplating an abortion, there are three things that are important to address before moving forward.
1. Pregnancy Testing
You may be experiencing pregnancy symptoms, such as nausea and fatigue. Your period might even be late.
These are indicators of pregnancy, but to get a better indicator of whether or not you are actually pregnant, take a lab-quality test. If taken after you miss your period, these tests can be over 99% accurate.
When a fertilized egg implants in the uterine wall, your body begins producing a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Once you miss your period, the level of hCG is high enough for pregnancy tests to give an accurate positive reading.
2. An Ultrasound
Ultrasounds are a safe way to provide a glimpse into the uterus. They can give you vital facts, including:
- If the pregnancy is progressing (indicated by fetal heartbeat)
- If the pregnancy is in the uterus
Roughly 10 to 20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage, which is a spontaneous pregnancy loss before the 20th week.
It is also essential to know if the pregnancy is growing in the uterus. Ectopic pregnancy (where the pregnancy is located outside the uterus, typically in a fallopian tube) can be life-threatening if not treated early. A different procedure is required for ectopic pregnancies.
3. STI testing
It is necessary to find out if you have an STI before getting an abortion. Chlamydia and gonorrhea can infect the cervix, a muscular, tunnel-like organ that connects the vagina and the uterus.
During an abortion, the normal barrier created by the cervix is disturbed, making it easier for STIs to spread deeper into the reproductive system.
If left untreated, they can develop into pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can be quite serious, leading to permanent damage, chronic pain, and other complications.
Visit Mosaic Sexual Health Clinic
If you think you might be pregnant, our experienced team can provide you with a lab-quality pregnancy test and limited ultrasound at no cost.
We can also provide you with STI testing and treatment at a very low cost. In addition, we will give you information on all your options.
At our clinic, we do not perform or refer for abortions, but we are committed to being an affordable first step so that you can receive the information and clarity you need prior to such a big decision.
Stay empowered and informed! Contact us today.