One of the most common questions about abortion is whether people have a right to an abortion. The answer is yes — women have the right to end a pregnancy.
As you can imagine, many misconceptions surround the procedure, and it may be in your best interest to educate your patients about the same.
Here is what your patients need to know about abortion.
You have Options
Abortion is not the only option when a woman finds themselves pregnant.
The good news is that they can either choose to parent, adopt or put their child up for adoption or explore other options like home study and single parenthood.
Many women choose abortion due to financial instability or lack of emotional support from their partner or family members.
Nevertheless, many organizations can help women make an informed decision about how to proceed with their pregnancies — and even help them through their options if they decide on adoption or parenting.
Medication Abortion is Safer
A procedure called “medication abortion” can be done early in pregnancy using pills provided by a doctor or nurse practitioner.
This method has fewer side effects and lesser health risks than surgical abortion later in pregnancy, and it can be used up to nine weeks after a patient’s last period.
Medication abortions are especially easy to access in rural areas or places where other providers might not be available because they do not require surgery or an operating room setting.
Patients who choose medication abortion will take two pills 24-48 hours apart and then revisit their health care provider one or two weeks later to ensure that everything is well.
Laws about the Procedure Vary
Laws about abortion vary from state to state, but generally, surgical abortions are legal until the fetus is viable outside the womb (between 24- and 28-weeks’ gestation).
In some states, abortion is prohibited after viability unless necessary to protect the woman’s life or health.
However, no matter what the law is where you live, you should know that having an abortion won’t affect your ability to get pregnant in the future.
Women Opt for Abortion for Many Reasons
There are many reasons women choose to have an abortion, including financial, medical, and relationship concerns.
Women who cannot afford to raise a child may feel like they have no other choice but to abort it.
Young women with little or no education may also face difficult decisions when they fall pregnant because they know they do not have the means to bring up a child without any support from their partners or family members.
Single mothers may not want another child so soon after having one or may not be in a position to provide for another child financially.
It May Cause Side Effects
You may experience side effects after your abortion. They vary from person to person and are not usually severe but can include vaginal bleeding or cramps for a few days as well as tiredness or nausea for up to a week after your procedure.
Contact the clinic immediately if you experience any of these things or think something is wrong.
Abortions are Safe
According to a report from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, this is one of the safest surgical procedures for women in the United States.
It has risks associated with it but — like most surgeries — those can be avoided by making sure you’re healthy enough for an abortion in the first place.
Abortion is one of the safest medical procedures performed in the United States today; it’s safer than getting your tonsils out or having a wisdom tooth removed.
It carries less risk than getting a shot or going for a walk.
You Have Options Regarding how to do It
You can have an abortion by taking medications by mouth or having a medical procedure done in a clinic or hospital by a trained professional such as a doctor, nurse, or midwife.
You can also have an abortion at home using medications purchased online.
Bottom Line
Given the prevalence of abortion, women need to understand what they’re getting into when deciding to terminate a pregnancy and what to expect as they recover.
Those mentioned above are some of the most crucial things you should let your patients know about the procedure.
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