2. Finding out you are pregnant
may be the best or worst
news of your life, depending
on what type of person you
are, what is going on in your
life, what your plans are, etc.
This process can either be a
joyful one or a terrifying and
agonizing one- especially
when it comes to finding
out, making a decision and
forming a plan.
3. The Most Common Signs of Pregnancy:
1. A missed or lighter than normal
menstrual period
2. Breast tenderness and/or enlargement
3. Frequent urination
4. Nausea/vomiting
5. Increased OR decreased appetite
6. Feeling bloated/cramps
*Please note- If you have these symptoms, it
does NOT mean that you are pregnant.
Many of the symptoms go hand in hand
with a regular menstrual period, so to be
sure you would have to…
4. TAKE A TEST
2 Options:
Home Pregnancy Tests- can be found at
your local drug store (CVS, Rite Aid) with
prices ranging from $5-$15 These tests can
only be used approximately 5-6 days
before a missed period.
Blood Tests:
Completed at your
doctor’s office.
These can tell if you
are pregnant about
a week before your
expected period
date. Doctor’s will
call back usually
within 24 hours with
the result.
5. Decision Making
Range of possible emotions:
Joy, excitement, happiness, unprepared, worri
ed, anxious, nervous, upset, afraid, etc.
Biggest Decision: Continue the Pregnancy or
have an abortion?
Continuing pregnancy allows for
adoption/foster care option as well.
Important to make a decision quickly so that
proper medical care can be provided.
Abortion is necessary before the 12th week of
pregnancy.
What is the most responsible and moral
choice for you?
Either way, be sure to find a reliable support
system.
6. Support system can be your partner, a
loved one, a friend or family member.
Family pressure may be an issue; many
people in the family may be against
abortion while others may be able to
justify such a decision.
Religious beliefs play a large role. If you
believe that the child should be born no
matter what, then abortion is not for
you. Other people may feel ashamed if
their daughter had a baby, especially if
it is early on in her life (teenage years).
They may feel she is not prepared and
too young to be responsible for another
human being’s life.
It can be difficult to make a decision
when you are getting pressure from all
angles, from everyone that you love and
care about.
7. ABORTION, IN GENERAL
-Safe and legal in the United States
-Very expensive; financial situation can
make this option a stressful one
-Safest and most affordable time is within
the first three months of pregnancy
-A lot of factors to consider
-Are you emotionally fit? Will you be able to
move forward with your life without any
guilt or regret?
8. CARRYING TO TERM
-Important to find a doctor to determine
how far along you are and to help you get
the proper care needed during the
pregnancy.
Factors to consider:
-Do you believe you will be a good parent?
-Can you properly take care of the
child/have help from family and/or
relatives when it comes to caring for the
child?
-Financial state, resources
-School? Employment? What to do?
-Support system?
-Do you feel 100% happy with your
choice?
9. FOSTER CARE VS ADOPTION
Foster care is temporary and allows for time
to resolve your problems and make decisions
about your parenting abilities. Children are
not meant to stay in foster care for more
than a year, and if they do- they often get
bounced from one foster home to the
next, which can be very traumatizing to the
child.
Adoption is permanent. Allows the birth
mother to have some ongoing contact with
the child, if they so choose. It is important to
choose an agency that allows you to choose
the adoptive family from a pool of applicants
instead of the child being randomly assigned
to a random person/couple.
10. WHO HAS ABORTIONS, AND WHY?
33% of all abortions are
from women ages 20-24
years old.
24% of all abortions are
from women ages 25-29
years old.
18% of all abortions are
from teenagers.
11% of all abortions are
from women 35+ years
old.
Poor and low income
women account for more
than 50% of all abortions.
37% are Protestant, 28%
are Catholic.
Approximately 1.21 MILLION legal
abortions were performed in the
United States in 2008. Is this
surprising to you?
Most Common
Reasons:
Inability to afford
a(nother) child.
Interference with work
and/or school.
Interference with the
ability to care for
dependents.
Difficulties with
husbands or partners;
cannot agree on a
decision.
Not wanting to be a
single parent.
11. ABORTION: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Abortion Safe?
Having an abortion is safe, and very few women experience
any type of complication. Having an abortion poses fewer
risks to women than carrying out the pregnancy and birth.
Will having an abortion affect my ability to get
pregnant in the future?
An abortion completed with no complications poses no risks
to a women’s future reproductive health and abilities. A very
rare, serious pelvic infection can cause damage to the
fallopian tubes which can increase risk of ectopic pregnancy
or fertility issues.
Will I suffer from PTSD or depression?
No such syndrome has been observed in women that have
had abortions. Most women have shown relief and positive
emotions after the abortion has been completed.
Will having an abortion put me at a higher risk
for breast cancer?
According to the National Cancer Institute (2003), No.
12. Preparing for an Abortion/What to Expect
Anxiety prior to the appointment is very
common. Avoid excessive alcohol
consumption, street drugs and strong
sleeping pills before the abortion.
Most abortions are done while the woman is
awake with drugs that can help her relax
and ease the pain.
A health clinician will talk to you about your
final decision and tell you what to expect
during and after the procedure has been
completed.
Be sure to ask questions! Do not feel shy or
embarrassed as thing is a big decision.
Feel supported in your decision.
13. ABORTION METHODS
Medication Abortion: Abortion with pills.
Consists of a two-drug regimen that ends
a pregnancy within the first 9 weeks of the
pregnancy. Note- this is NOT the same as
taking the PLAN B Pill or any other
Emergency Contraceptives.
Vacuum Aspiration Abortion: Also known
as suction abortion or surgical abortion.
Currently the most common method used
for first-trimester abortions. The uterine
contents are removed by suction which is
applied through a thin tube that is
inserted into the uterus and connected to
an electric pump or a handheld syringe.
Only 1 in 300 women experience any
complication with this method.
14. The Procedure…
The clinician will perform a pelvic exam to check the size
and position of the uterus.
An ultrasound may also be done before the procedure is
started.
The clinician will then insert a speculum into the vagina to
separate the vaginal walls and bring the cervix into view.
Pressure may be felt, but there should be no pain.
The clinician will place a tenaculum on the cervix to hold it
in the proper position for the abortion. Local anesthetic
solution is then injected. Once the cervix is numb, the
clinician will slowly stretch the opening of the cervix by
inserting and removing dilators.
A cannula is inserted through the cervix into the uterus. The
size of this tube depends on how far along the pregnancy
is.
The clinician will connect the cannula to a handheld vacuum
device and moves the cannula back and forth to draw out
the pregnancy tissue. Cramping is common to be felt during
this part of the procedure as the uterus is being emptied.
Once the clinician wipes out the vagina and checks for
bleeding, she or he will remove the speculum and examine
the tissue to be sure the pregnancy has been fully removed.
15. AFTERCARE
After the procedure is completed, the
patient will go to a recovery area to rest
where the clinician will periodically check
the vitals and bleeding.
Before going home, the staff will provide
information about what to expect over the
next few days and what crucial signs to
look for that may indicate any type of
complication from the procedure.
A follow-up appointment is usually given
for two-three weeks after the abortion.
16. REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS- THE FIGHT
Abortion rights opponents
created an atmosphere that is
threatening and often times too
violent. Some people are so
against it that if another
individual were to recognize
themselves as prochoice, that
could be risky.
Abortion rights activists continue
to fight for reproductive rights
and justice. See WHAT YOU CAN
DO. Be visible. Stay Informed.
Show Support. Take Action.
Break the silence.
17. No matter which decision you choose…
Grief is normal! Be gentle with yourself and
come to terms with the decision, for it
cannot be changed now. Grief does not
mean that you have made the wrong
decision, but that you are feeling some sort
of loss. Support groups are available for
women going through this. Often times it
helps to know that you are not alone in this
feeling, and that someone else can
understand what you are going through.
This makes a difficult time easier.
18. “Unless we can freely decide
whether to continue a
pregnancy, it is impossible for
us to control our lives, to enjoy
our sexuality, and to participate
fully in society.”
19. Do you believe is it ethical to judge a
woman’s decision on whether to carry
out the pregnancy or to have an
abortion? Most women are judged
either way- if they have the baby
people will say they aren’t responsible
enough. If they have an
abortion, people will say they have no
heart. What are your thoughts?
DISCUSSION QUESTION
