Pregnancy choices

What are my options if I am pregnant? There are three options to consider when you are pregnant. It is very important to take your time as you choose an option. We are available to meet with you and discuss any of the following options with you.

Parenting

Choosing to parent your baby can be a rewarding experience as well as one of the biggest challenges of your life. Some questions you may want to ask yourself:

Will I be able to financially and emotionally take care of my baby?
Will the baby’s father be supportive?
Will my family be supportive?
Do I have any friends or relatives that will be supportive?
Will I be able to provide a loving and safe home for my baby?
Will I need a babysitter after the baby is born? If so, is that person responsible?

Place The Baby For Adoption

Some women choose to place their babies for adoption because they are unable to meet the financially, emotionally and practical needs of a baby at this time. This is a loving and sacrificial choice because the mother will carry her baby for nine months and selects loving parents that could provide for the needs of the baby. There are two types of adoption:

Open adoption: The birth mother meets and selects the adoptive parents, they have some contact after the baby is born, whatever is agreed upon
Closed adoption: The adoption agency selects the adoptive parents and there is no contact between the birth mother and adoptive parents.

Abortion

If you are thinking abortion there are three possible risks to consider. How this procedure will affect you physically, emotionally and spiritually. We encourage you to take some time to read the following risks below:

Medical Abortions: RU-486 is medical abortion that is used very early in pregnancy, no later than nine weeks after your last period. The doctor would either give you an oral dose of, or inject you with, Mifepristone. This drug stops the natural function of your body. The lining of your uterus softens and breaks down. You will then return to the clinic two days later for a checkup to see if the baby has been expelled. If the baby has not been expelled you will be given another drug Cytotec or Misoprostol to make your cervix dilate and your uterus contract, to push the baby out. This procedure can cause cramping, bleeding, nausea and diarrhea. In some cases, this procedure can result in a failed abortion than the doctor will have to surgically remove the baby. See below for possible physical side effects from this procedure.
Surgical Abortions — Before 10 weeks: Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA)
The doctor will apply a shot of anesthetic to your cervix to reduce any pain, baby is removed by using the suction of a manual syringe. It is often used for very early in pregnancy and can e done up to 10 weeks of pregnancy.
Surgical Abortion — Before 14 weeks: Suction Aspiration
The doctor will apply a shot of anesthetic to your cervix to reduce any pain, then the cervix is stretched to allow the abortion tools to pass into your uterus. The doctor uses the suction device place in the uterus to remove the placenta and the baby. See below for possible physical side affects from this procedure. See below for possible physical side effects from this procedure.; Dilation and Curettage (D&C)
The doctor opens your cervix, as in Suction Aspiration procedure above, but in this case the abortion is done with a loop-shaped knife which is used to scrape the wall of your uterus, cutting the baby into smaller parts – which are pulled out of your body through the cervix. There is a higher risk of your uterus being perforated with this procedure. A general anesthesia is usually required. See below for possible physical side effects from this procedure.
Surgical Abortion — After 14 weeks: Dilation and Evacuation (D& E)
The bones of the baby are larger and stronger by this time, the doctor uses a medical instrument resembling pliers to pull the baby into smaller parts and remove those parts from your body through the cervix. This procedure requires your cervix to be opened wider than with Suction Aspiration or D& C procedures, and there is greater risk of harm to your reproductive organs. See below for possible physical side effects from this procedure.

Physical Risks

(These are some possible physical risks that could occur after having an abortion procedure)

Hemorrhage – sometimes women can bleed heavily during an abortion or a few days afterward.
Infection – the uterus is susceptible to infection immediately after an abortion, especially if part of the baby or placenta is accidentally left inside of you. Infections are even more of a risk if you have an Sexual Transmitted Disease at the time of the abortion. A serious untreated infection can sometimes develop and result in infertility.
Perforation – sometimes the tools of an abortion are accidentally pushed through the wall of the uterus during an abortion damaging one of your organs.
Effects On Later Pregnancy – injury to the cervix may cause the early loss of a later pregnancy resulting in a miscarriage and scarring could prevent you from becoming pregnant in the future.
Ectopic (Tubal) Pregnancy – the baby maybe growing in your fallopian tube possibly due to scar tissue from the abortion procedure in this the case the baby is unable to be saved and untreated can pose serious and fatal risks for the mother.
Breast Cancer – a number of scientific studies show a link between abortion and breast cancer.
Death – although this is rare, however some women have died after an abortion procedure.

Emotional Risks

After having an abortion, some women will feel the following emotional symptoms:

Sadness
Sexual dysfunction
Suicidal thoughts
Hallucinations
Long-term grief
Guilt
Memory repression
Increase alcohol & drug use
Anger
Flashbacks
Anniversary reactions
Difficulty maintaining close relationships

Spiritual Risks

When thinking about having an abortion it is important to consider how this decision will impact your religion or faith in God. Some questions you may want to ask yourself:

Will this decision draw me closer or away from God?
How does my religion or God think about abortion?
Can I talk to my Pastor or Spiritual Leader about this decision if I am struggling?
How will I feel spiritually after the abortion?