Pre-Abortion Safety Checklist Clackamas, OR
Ending a pregnancy is never an easy choice. If you’re considering abortion, it’s natural to have questions and concerns. You’re not alone. Read on for a pre-abortion checklist and the necessary steps to take before making an abortion decision. In addition, Obria Medical Clinics-Clackamas offers private, pressure-free abortion education and consultations. Our services are confidential and offered at low or no cost to you. Call Obria Medical Clinics-Clackamas at (503) 908-1861, or schedule your appointment.
Step 1: Confirm Your Pregnancy
While this may sound like an odd question, are you sure you’re actually pregnant? Getting an ultrasound can be an important next step in evaluating all your pregnancy options.
We offer pregnancy verifications in Clackamas, which are determined by the date of your last menstrual period (LMP). Some doctors or clinics require pregnancy verification before allowing you to make an appointment with them regarding your pregnancy. This pregnancy verification is the official document that serves as the proof of pregnancy for insurance companies; community agencies that provide services like the W.I.C. program, employers, and will be needed if you obtain an abortion.
Most importantly, remember you are not alone as you consider your options. Obria Medical Clinics is here to empower and equip you to make an informed decision. The earlier you know, the more time you have to plan.
Step 2: Verification Ultrasound
Once your pregnancy is confirmed, you then need to confirm that it is a viable pregnancy; that the pregnancy is healthy and will carry to term on its own. You might not know that 1 in 5 pregnancies end in miscarriage on their own, with the majority of them occurring during the first trimester of pregnancy.
The best way to ensure that you have a viable pregnancy is through a verification ultrasound. Ultrasounds tell you the location of your pregnancy (to ensure it’s not an ectopic pregnancy) and the approximate gestational age of your pregnancy, which determines what abortion procedures are available to you.
At Obria Medical Clinics limited obstetrical ultrasounds are performed to:
- Confirm pregnancy
- Detect fetal heartbeat
- Determine fetal age
- Determine due date
- Determine location of pregnancy (intrauterine/ectopic)
The ultrasound examination will not diagnose gender, abnormalities, and/or problems.
Step 3: Learn About Your Abortion Options
There are two types of abortion procedures: medical and surgical. If you are less than 10 weeks along into your pregnancy, medical abortion (more commonly known as the abortion pill) is available to you. After 10 weeks along, the abortion pill is not medically allowed; surgical abortion options, such as suction and curettage (S&C) or dilation and evacuation (D&E), are then offered. In S&C abortions, a suction machine and a curette — a thin, loop-shaped knife — are used to remove the fetus from your uterus; this is the most common abortion procedure. For D&E abortions, the same tools are used in conjunction with forceps, as this procedure is typically only performed on women with advanced pregnancies.
The cost of abortion will vary based on several factors including your insurance coverage, the location of the provider, and how far along you are. If money is a concern, remember we offer abortion education and a verification ultrasound at low or no cost at Obria. Call (503) 908-1861 to schedule.
Step 4: Learn About the Side Effects
Lastly, you should be aware of the side effects and risks of abortion procedures. Surgical and medical abortions share some side effects, such as abdominal cramping, pain, nausea, and heavy bleeding. However, surgical abortions are more invasive. In rare cases, the procedures can cause damage to your uterine lining or cervix, which may make it harder for you to become pregnant in the future.
Before you have any elective procedure it’s important to know the potential impact it could have on your body and future health. Here we’ve compiled the latest research on the impact of abortion. Risks and side effects vary by the type of procedure and how far along you are. Part of these feelings are due to the hormonal changes that occur during and after pregnancy, but abortion can take a mental toll as well. Often referred to as Post Abortion Syndrome, its effects are different for each woman and can present in many different ways.
Step 5: Contact Obria Medical Clinics in Clackamas, OR
As with any medical procedure, it’s important you have all the facts and risks before making any decisions. At Obria Medical Clinics, our nursing staff is available to discuss with you any questions you may have regarding having an abortion, barriers to continuing a pregnancy, as well as abortion procedures and physical and emotional risks associated with abortion. We are here to educate you on all your options so that you can make an informed decision. It is your pregnancy, your right to know, and your decision. If you’re considering abortion and want to learn more, we’d love to meet with you. Call Obria Medical Clinics-Clackamas (503) 908-1861 or schedule your appointment.
Abortion Checklist 97015
Clackamas is part of the Portland Metropolitan Area and lies approximately 10 miles (16 km) southeast of downtown Portland and to the east of Interstate 205 along Oregon Routes 212 and 224 and to the north of the Clackamas River. https://clackamas.us/