Know the possible abortion risks.
From the thousands of women now working in the pregnancy care arena who have had abortions, we know that abortion has physical, emotional, spiritual and psychological risks.
Get a blood or urine pregnancy test to confirm you are really pregnant.
It could be that you are not actually pregnant. Please visit one of the local pregnancy care centers above. They will provide laboratory quality urine tests. A trained pregnancy center advocate can provide additional information relevant to your situation. All of these services are free and confidential.
Confirm your pregnancy with a doctor who doesn’t do abortions.
There have been cases where abortion clinics have provided clients with incorrect information in order to obtain their abortion fee. Carol Everett was an abortion clinic owner who used to provide abortion services in Texas. She testified in Congress that she sold abortions to women who were not pregnant but feared they were. For the best medical input on abortion we recommend you speak with a medical professional that has nothing to gain in your abortion decision. Your local pregnancy care center can provide you with that referral.
Get an ultrasound.
You may receive an ultrasound from your local pregnancy care center. This non-diagnostic ultrasound can tell you how many weeks you are into the pregnancy or whether or not your pregnancy is viable.
Understand that the baby is not a “blob of tissue”.
Some abortion clinics tell women that their babies are not human at all but simply a “blob of tissue” or a “dot”. For many it is easier to have an abortion if they believe their child isn’t yet human. Ultrasound photos show that at early stages of pregnancy the humanness of the baby is clearly evident. When some women see these photos after their abortion they are overwhelmed and grieved that the information the abortion clinic provided was misleading. An ultrasound will reveal the true development of your children. Learn more about what a preborn child looks like.
Don’t sign anything that releases the doctor or the abortion clinic from being responsible for hurting you during an abortion procedure.
Many women have said that they were so upset by the emotion of the day that they signed anything put in front of them in order to “get out and have it done with.” If the abortion clinic asks you to sign anything, take your time to read it over. If you don’t understand something, ask questions. If you don’t understand their answers, push them further. Don’t be in a rush because anything you sign could affect you in the future. You can always reschedule your appointment for a later date.
Understand you have rights in an abortion.
It is against the law for anyone to force you to have an abortion. Not even a husband or parent can require you to undergo an abortion against your will, even if you are a minor (under 18 years old). Your local pregnancy care center exists to help you in any circumstance. They can help you discuss this choice with those closest to you that are influencing your decision. The law in many states also requires abortion providers to give you information on:
Possible complications,The development of the baby, andOrganizations that provide alternatives to abortion
Understand you can change your mind even at the last minute.
Many women who have experienced abortion relay that they felt they had to go through with the procedure once they had entered the clinic. Others say that they waited on the abortion table to be “rescued” by their boyfriend at the last minute. Some clinics even told the women that they couldn’t get their money back if they changed their mind.
Abortion clinics know that this is an agonizing decision and sometimes see women change their mind at the last minute because, as they say, “I simply can’t do this!” Know your rights. Don’t be pressured or intimidated. If decide to cancel an abortion procedure, demand your money back.
Know you are not alone!
Women who feel like abortion is their choice often change their minds after visiting a pregnancy care center and understanding the support services that are available. Pregnancy Care Centers exist to help you during and after your pregnancy. There is no obstacle too big that can’t be overcome with friendship and support.
Excerpts used by permission of Ramah International
