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What to Know if You Are Considering Abortion

The fact that you are pregnant is likely a shock to you. Unplanned pregnancy can be a scary and stressful life event. Birth control can fail. Pregnancies can happen. A positive pregnancy test can be frightening and you may be filled with panic. Becoming a parent is a major milestone, and not everyone feels ready or has the resources they need to raise a child.

Information About Abortion in Maine

Simple information about abortion… There are three main choices if you find out that you’re pregnant. The solution to your unexpected pregnancy will be one of the following:

1. Continue with your pregnancy and eventual parenthood.
2. Continue with your pregnancy and arrange an adoption for the baby.
3. End the pregnancy with an abortion.

No one but you can decide what to do during your pregnancy. Abortion is a big decision and a medical procedure, so it’s important that you understand the process, risks and long term physical and mental effects before you make your choice. Get facts first. Your well-being is critical.

Like with any medical procedure, you should know what happens during the abortion, what the associated costs are and other options outside of terminating a pregnancy. Adoption and parenting are options to explore and fully understand before making a life-changing decision.

Reasons for Seeking an Abortion

Every woman’s situation is unique, and no two people will have the same story in regards to an unwanted pregnancy. The initial shock and fear of a positive pregnancy test can lead to panic decision-making but taking the time to look at all of the options available for a pregnancy can help you make the right long-term decision for both you and the unborn baby.

The main reason women seek out an abortion is because they feel unable to care for a baby. They may be in school, not have a job or feel like they are too young to properly care for a child. Maybe they have the idea that their career goals or future college dreams won’t happen if they have a child.

Some women opt for an abortion if they are not in a committed relationship with a partner or if they’re concerned about being a single parent. Raising a child on your own is difficult, and many people who consider abortion feel as though they’d have to raise a baby alone.

How to Decide What Is Right For You

You are the only person who can decide whether or not to have an abortion. Do not choose the procedure because your partner, parent, doctor, or anyone else in your life is pressuring you. Maintain control. Your rights come first. Pressure should never make your decisions for you. Your question of what to do about your pregnancy can only be answered by you.

Here are some questions you should ask yourself while evaluating your pregnancy options:

• Do I feel pressured to have an abortion?
• Do my church, religious beliefs or morals affect my feelings about abortion?
• Would I consider adoption?
• What would it feel like to be a mom and to care for another person?
• Do I have friends or family that have kids or that have had an abortion? How have they managed their experiences?
• Are there specific rules and regulations concerning abortions in the state of Maine or in the city of Portland?

You don’t have to decide whether or not to have an abortion right away. You can make an appointment at your doctor’s office and discuss your options. OptionLine is a great resource for a free and anonymous discussion about options for your pregnancy. Your privacy is important. Staff at Optionline will respect it. It is important to ask questions and what’s most important is that you’re fully informed about your options before making your choice. Facts and solutions go hand-in-hand

A Few Things To Know About Having An Abortion

On the surface, an abortion sounds like an easy process and a fast way to end a scary problem. If you are considering having an abortion, take the time to read about what an abortion really is, what options are available in Maine, how the procedure works and the potential side-effects.

Potential Side Effects and Risks of An Abortion

Abortion Facts That You Should Know

Both medical and surgical abortions can have risks. The abortion pill typically causes symptoms similar to a miscarriage, including bleeding, cramping, fever, and digestive problems. One effect, i.e., bleeding, may only last a few hours, but some women experience heavy bleeding for days or weeks following a medical abortion.

There is also a risk that the abortion pill will be ineffective. In this case, you will have to choose between a surgical abortion and continuing with the pregnancy.

Surgical abortions have some risks too. When complications do occur, most are considered minor. For example, patients may experience pain, bleeding, or an infection that requires antibiotics. If the operation is performed under anesthesia, patients should consider all of the typical risks associated with anesthesia.

In more rare circumstances, serious complications can occur. These problems include uterine perforation, which can lead to injuries in the surrounding organs; uterine atony, which can cause hemorrhage; and cervical laceration. One of the most dangerous complications is disseminated intravascular coagulation, or DIC, which causes blood clots. This condition is very rare.

Around 2 percent of abortions require follow-up care for complications. This includes treatment at an emergency department, at the original clinic, or in any other medical facility.

Patients should also be aware of the psychological side effects that can occur after receiving an abortion. Not everyone who has an abortion struggles with mental or emotional effects afterward, but for some, it can be a difficult experience. Guilt and self judgment are reported by some women. Sadness, loss, anxiety, and feelings of isolation are also experienced. The hormonal changes associated with pregnancy can contribute to psychological symptoms as well. Help is available with post abortion syndrome at Optionline.org.

Types of Abortion Procedures

Methods of abortion vary considerably. There are several types of abortion procedures. The type of procedure performed depends on how far along you are in the pregnancy. Planned Parenthood performs the most abortions. Abortion clinics are second. Clinics vary concerning which abortion procedures they will perform.

One method is the abortion pill. This medication abortion can be taken from the time of conception up to 10 weeks into a pregnancy. There are two pills used for the procedure. One abortion pill is mifepristone, which blocks progesterone, a hormone necessary for the growth and development of the fetus. The second pill is misoprostol, which causes your uterus to empty. Misoprostol leads to heavy cramping and bleeding with symptoms similar to a miscarriage, so doctors recommend it be taken at home where the patient can be comfortable. Medication for pain is also prescribed. The embryo will be expelled at home rather than in a clinic. Although mortality is rare, there have been 24 recorded deaths from the pill abortion.

Advertisement for the pill on the Internet and offered in local Portland clinics make it look easy, but taking it on your own can be disastrous. Deaths have occurred in some instances. A physician or nurses have the experience necessary to protect you. Training is critical when it comes to having an abortion. If complications arise, they are the only ones who can help you; so don’t do this on your own.

Abortions after 10 weeks must be performed surgically. Suction aspiration is the most common type of surgical abortion, which is usually performed in the first 12 weeks of the pregnancy. Sedation and surgery always carries a certain level of risk. First, the doctor administers general or local anesthetic. Then, they stretch open the cervical muscle and insert a plastic tube that uses suction to empty the uterus. The fetus is suctioned out of the woman’s body and the pregnancy is terminated. A curettage abortion is similar, using a curette instead of a suction tube. The products of conception and tissue are cut out with the curette and reconstructed to be sure all body parts have been removed. The termination is then complete.

Another type of surgical abortion is a dilation and evacuation procedure, which can be performed up to 18 weeks into the pregnancy. The cervix is dilated so suction and medical instruments can be inserted. The placenta and fetus are removed. The termination is then complete. These procedures all require confirmation that all fetal parts have been removed to prevent infections.

A hysterotomy abortion is performed from four to nine months of pregnancy. This abortion involves inducing labor. Contractions occur similar to a live birth. Most abortions are performed earlier in the pregnancy than this, though. After viability has been reached, restrictions have been passed in some states.

Abortion laws in the United States vary by state. In many states, abortion after a certain number of weeks is illegal. Age of the patient is also a factor, as some states require parental consent or notification if you are a minor. Some states have additional laws regarding counseling and other services that must take place before receiving an abortion, so it’s important to research the regulations in your area.

Cost of An Abortion

The cost of an abortion can vary drastically depending on the type of procedure, your location, where you receive the procedure, and whether you experience any complications. Some health insurance policies do cover abortions in part or in full, but not all do.

The method used in an abortion determines the price. The abortion pill can range in cost from $400 to $800. A suction aspiration abortion may cost $450 to $900, and a dilation and evacuation abortion can cost up to $2,000 at most Portland, ME clinics. You should consider travel expenses if the nearest clinic is far from your home, too.

Alternatives To An Abortion For Woman in Maine

Many of the reasons or problems that push women to have an abortion can often be solved through other options. A medical procedure should always be the last resort for the health and safety of the mother.

Adoption Options:

Adoption is a common solution for many women dealing with an unwanted pregnancy. Many women are not ready to be a full time parent but adoption allows you to be a good mom to your baby and give the opportunity to a stable, loving couple that may not be able to get pregnant. The United States, and even Portland Maine, can’t meet all the requests from hopeful parents. Countries like China are helping to fill the void somewhat with adoptable babies. Access to Main adoption information and a free discussion can be with a quick connection to OptionLine.

Depending on the type of adoption you choose there are options to stay in contact with you baby and follow their life if you choose. There are many adoptions available depending upon what you are comfortable with. Read more about the benefits and possibilities for adoption to help you make an educated decision about your pregnancy.

Parenthood and Birth Mother:

Birth and motherhood may seem like a scary option right now, but this can bring a lot of joy into your life. There are many organizations to help you get through your pregnancy and groups that can help you with parenting. Ways to help both mother and child are readily available. Childbirth doesn’t have to be a negative experience.

Contact OptionLine.org for a free and anonymous discussion about your abortion options, concerns, information and Maine rules and laws concerning pregnancy and abortion.