If your girlfriend is experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, you all may feel like abortion is the best option. Still, before making a pregnancy decision, it’s vital to learn more about the abortion process and the health risks.
Generally, insurance companies will not cover your partner’s abortion unless you are legally married, and without insurance, the abortion pill costs $500 to $1,000.
While the financial cost of an abortion may play a role in the pregnancy decision, it’s critical to understand the negative impacts abortion can have on a woman’s physical and mental health as you navigate this pregnancy decision.
The Abortion Pill
According to the FDA, the abortion pill, also known as a medical abortion, must be used at 10 weeks of pregnancy or earlier.
The abortion pill consists of two drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol.
Mifepristone is administered first to cause thinning of the uterine lining, which leads to the detachment of the pregnancy.
Then, misoprostol is used to create uterine contractions, causing the expulsion of the pregnancy through the vagina.
Health Risks of the Abortion Pill
Before terminating a pregnancy, a woman should fully understand the risks.
Not only can post-abortion physical health complications arise, but women who have had an abortion are at increased risk for developing mental health issues.
Physical health risks of the abortion pill include:
- Failure to end the pregnancy or retained pregnancy tissue
- Heavy bleeding that won’t stop
- Diarrhea and digestive pain
- Allergic reaction to the drugs
- Infection (signs to look out for include an unpleasant vaginal odor and fever that lasts more than 24 to 48 hours)
Mental health risks of the abortion pill include:
- Grief
- Depression disorders
- Eating disorders
- Anxiety
- Sleep disturbances
- Suicidal behaviors
- Substance abuse
Is the Abortion Pill an Option?
Just because your girlfriend is pregnant does not mean that she automatically abortion is an option.
Before terminating, it’s critical to have a pre-abortion screening that includes an in-person evaluation with a healthcare provider and an ultrasound scan.
Reviewing their health history with a provider ensures that your partner does not have any health conditions that would increase their risk for post-abortion complications.
Additionally, an ultrasound scan provides necessary details about the pregnancy, such as the age, location, and viability, which help determine what options are available.
Get Help Today
Wellspring Pregnancy and Health Center offers support to pregnant women and their partners.
We provide free lab-quality pregnancy tests and ultrasound scans. After learning more about the pregnancy, our trusted team can answer questions and discuss options.
Additionally, we offer programs for men, where you can talk with others who’ve walked this same path.
You and your partner don’t have to navigate this alone.
Contact us today for your confidential appointment.
