Content

• Steps
• Warning

Surely you panic when you know that you are pregnant unexpectedly. Perhaps you are not ready to be a mother, or your health is not guaranteed to have a healthy pregnancy. If it is necessary to end the pregnancy, you may consider an abortion option. However, be mindful of possible effects, and remember to put your health and safety first.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Consider options

1. 

   Determine that you are pregnant. Menstrual loss is a common symptom of pregnancy, but it's not a sure sign either.You may suspect that you are pregnant if you experience a delay, especially if other symptoms, such as nausea or sore breasts are present. If you think you might be pregnant, you should have a home pregnancy test. Many pregnancy test kits are thought to be very accurate and widely available in pharmacies.
   • If you are still in school, the school health department can provide you with a pregnancy test.
   • If the pregnancy test is positive, you should see your doctor for an accurate diagnosis. Home pregnancy test kits are fairly reliable, but the tests your doctor does at the clinic are the best way to determine for sure if you are pregnant. Seek medical advice as soon as possible.
2. Consider whether it is safe to reveal you are pregnant. If your family or the community in which you live is extremely conservative, you may be in danger of letting people know you are pregnant, especially if you are considering an abortion. Don't put yourself at risk of physical abuse, verbal abuse or being evicted from home if you think this might happen.
   • If you are scared to tell your family member, you can pretend to be "camping" or "traveling" and secretly having an abortion. (Think of a trusted friend you can go with and testify for you.) Be careful about signing documents, and make it clear to the hospital that you do not want your family and family doctor to know.
   • You may not feel well after the abortion. The people around you may think you have a cold or the flu.

3. 

   
   
   Consult your doctor if you feel safe. Once your doctor has been diagnosed as pregnant, you will probably have a lot to ask. Your doctor is a very helpful resource for you. Your body changes dramatically during pregnancy, so ask your doctor about what you can go through even if you are not planning to keep it.
   • The doctor will examine and possibly do some blood tests or an ultrasound.
   • Ask your doctor to estimate how long you have been pregnant. Many places have laws that either allow or disallow abortion based on gestational age. Usually, the abortion is safest during the first 3 months of pregnancy.

4. 

   
   
   Consider options. Perhaps you are very scared and bewildered to find out that you are pregnant at an unexpected time. Take a few days to think about your options. If you have a close friend or relative you can trust, don't hesitate to turn to them for advice. Most importantly, you need to consider and make the optimal decision for you and your health.
   • Basically, you have three main options: motherhood, adoption, and abortion.
   • No matter how you know what you want to do, it's a good idea to talk to a consultant. They can help prepare you for the possibilities. Maternity clinics also have counseling departments for people who are wondering whether to have an abortion, and can provide resources if you want to keep the pregnancy but lack money or lack support.
   • If possible, talk to your partner and consider your options together. However, the right to decide is still up to you.
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Method 2 of 3: Carry out the procedure

1. 

   
   
   Find a suitable medical facility. Once you have decided to have an abortion, you need to make sure the procedure is done in a safe and hygienic medical facility. Your gynecologist can do this procedure, but if not, ask your gynecologist to recommend a place where you can go for the procedure.
   • In the US, you can look to Planned Parenthood (the family planning organization). This organization provides a comprehensive level of fertility services and will be a great source of support for you (even if you decide to stay pregnant).
   • Be sure to find out if the medical facility you call actually offers an abortion service. Some family planning organizations do this, but there are many “help with unwanted pregnancies” that often find ways to scare you and cheat you so that you cannot have an abortion. It only takes a simple question over the phone and you get an answer.
   • There are two ways to abort. One is to do surgery at a medical facility, and the other is to take medication prescribed by a doctor. When you find a hospital that offers abortion, discuss these two options with them.
   • Ask the hospital about the abortion laws in your area. Some facilities require a minor to get permission from a parent or guardian before performing an abortion procedure. However, from time to time you can ask the court for permission to waive this requirement. Check with your health care provider about the regulations in your area.

2. 

   Talk to your parents. If you are under 18, you may need parental permission to have the abortion procedure, depending on where you live. You can find information by asking the medical center about the law. Anyway, you should probably still talk to your parents. Hopefully your parents will be a useful source of support for you.
   • Choose a good time and place to talk to your parents. You need to talk in a private and uninterrupted place. Ask your parents if it is convenient to talk now to make sure they aren't distracted.
   • Try to stay calm and honest. Express your feelings and needs clearly.

3. 

   Arrangements for the procedure without parental consent. Many places require a parental petition, but you can still have a legal abortion procedure without parental consent. If your parents do not sign a petition, or if you are afraid or cannot tell the parents, you need a waiver from the court. In this case, the court will give consent on behalf of the parents.
   • The Family Planning Center has information about getting court approval and can help with the process. You can also call the national abortion hotline. They can help you learn the necessary steps.
   • Parental petition rules do not apply if you are married, have children, or in an emergency.

4. 

   Find a support person. If you feel like you can't talk to your parents, find someone you can trust to share. Even if you decide to have an abortion, it can still be an emotionally disturbing experience. It is very helpful to have a support system in place during this difficult time. Stay calm and rational when you talk, and let them know you need their help.
   • Try to find a trusted relative or friend and ask that person to accompany you to the clinic. You may need help after the procedure - you can't drive home with anesthesia during the procedure, and you may need a comforter to get through it.

5. 

   Prepare for the procedure. When you are preparing to visit the clinic, you need to know how much the procedure will cost. In the US, the average cost of an abortion is about 800 USD. The cost of the surgery can be up to 1,500 USD for an abortion in the first 3 months of pregnancy. It's best to be prepared and think about how you will cover this cost. This will reduce your stress on the day of the procedure.
   • Many health centers apply a ladder of fees. This means your income and ability will be considered in the calculation. Often the costs to be paid are significantly reduced.
   • If you are unable to make a one-time payment, ask your doctor if you can pay by installments.
   • Try to schedule the procedure on a day away from school or work, so you have at least one day to rest and recover.

6. 

   Know what's going to happen. Before you go to the hospital, you need to know if you are going to be on medication or have an abortion procedure. Medical abortion is usually used if the fetus is less than 9 weeks old and is up to 97% effective.
   • If you have an abortion procedure, you should also know about the procedure in advance. There are two types of abortion surgery: vacuum aspiration and D&E (dilatation and expulsion). Ask your doctor what procedure you will have.
   • Before either of the above procedures, you may be given medicine to relax you. Before the vacuum aspiration procedure, the doctor will examine and anesthetize the cervix, then the fetus will be drawn out using a vacuum aspirator. This procedure takes about 5-10 minutes.Note that you also need more time for pre- and post-procedure procedures to file and talk with your doctor.
   • Dilation and discharge also begin with the doctor examining the uterus and numbing the cervix. The cervix will be dilated with medicine or fluids and the doctor will use a vacuum tube to clean the uterus. This procedure will take about 20 minutes as it takes more time to prepare for the uterus.
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Method 3 of 3: Coping with the effects after an abortion

1. 

   Understand physical recovery. After surgical abortion, you need to follow your doctor's instructions during recovery. You may bleed or feel a spasm in your uterus for up to 1 week after the procedure. Your doctor can provide pain relievers for you to cope with physical effects.
   • You will also be prescribed antibiotics to fight the infection.
   • Contact your doctor right away if you experience heavy bleeding or contractions that cause severe pain. You should also call your doctor if you start to have a fever in the days after the procedure, or have a very thick vaginal discharge or have a bad smell.

2. 

   Recognize your feelings. It is natural for you to have multiple emotions mixed after the abortion. Some people feel almost relieved, others have more complex emotions, such as sadness, pain, or confusion. No matter how you feel, give yourself time and space to feel.
   • Abortion is a very personal experience. Don't be ashamed if you become too emotional afterwards. Understand and accept your feelings.

3. 

   Get help. While it's normal to be emotional after an abortion, make sure your spirits are recovering. This is even more important when you are a teenager, as you go through so many changes in your life. If you notice lingering feelings of sadness, guilt, or anger, it may be time to seek help.
   • Sometimes you will feel more relieved when you talk to a relative or friend, but at times the problem becomes worse. In this case, ask your doctor to refer a psychologist or support group. Remember that you are not alone.
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Warning

• Make sure that the abortion procedure is performed by an experienced doctor.
• Remember to follow your doctor's instructions during recovery.
• With the strict laws on abortion in the US, you can feel hopeless, even think about trying a home abortion. Never put yourself in danger in any way. Home abortion can be fatal or lead to complications with lifelong consequences. You need a qualified doctor to do this.