Many women schedule abortion procedures as soon as they find out they are pregnant. Statistics say that up to 30% of early pregnancies may end in miscarriage1, which means that an abortion may not be necessary if the pregnancy is not viable or living. Viability can be determined through an ultrasound or sonogram.
Sonograms can be done at seven weeks past the last menstrual period. Prior to that time, it is not always clear whether the pregnancy is living or not. Women who take the time to wait and have a sonogram done, may find that the abortion is not necessary.
Some of the risks of abortion that may be avoided include pain, bleeding and hemorrhage as well as a failed or incomplete abortion2. Infection and aggravation of “silent” STDs are also associated risks of abortion3,4.
Free, pre-abortion ultrasounds may be scheduled by calling any of our clinics. Finding out this information can be helpful in your decision to have an abortion.
1. Mifeprex medication guide. How should I take mifeprex? Food and Drug Administration Web site. http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm088643.pdf. Accessed August 4, 2013.
2. Mifeprex (Mifepristone) Information, Postmarket Drug Safety Information for Patients and Providers. Food and Drug Safety Administration Web site. http://www.fda.gov/drugs/drugsafety/postmarketdrugsafetyinformationforpatientsandproviders/ucm111323.htm. Accessed August 6, 2013.
3. Stevenson, M. M., and K. W. Radcliffe. “Preventing pelvic infection after abortion.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine Web site. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8547409?dopt=AbstractPlus. Accessed August 4, 2013.
4. Blackwell, A. L Et. Al. “Universal prophylaxis for Chlamydia trachomatis and anaerobic vaginosis in women attending for suction termination of pregnancy: an audit of short-term health gains.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine Web site. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10471099?dopt=AbstractPlus. Accessed August 4, 2013.