You may have already decided that you want to have an abortion, but before you move ahead, there is another important step in the process. Many women do not stop to consider their personal medical history before they make a final decision. Because abortion is a serious medical procedure, some of the risks of abortion
1. Are you pregnant? A missed period often causes a woman to think she may be pregnant. However, there can be other reasons for a missed period. Have a test done and get the results confirmed before you make an abortion decision. At the Women’s Clinics Maryland our tests are laboratory grade urine tests and
While state laws vary, if you are under 18, the laws of the state where you are seeking an abortion, not the state you live in, will apply. In Maryland, the law states that if you are under 18 years old, one parent (or legal guardian) must be notified of your decision to have an
There are two types of parental involvement laws regarding abortion: notification and consent. If you are not an emancipated minor under 18, these laws apply to you. A “Parental Notification” law means that a parent or guardian must be notified before a minor undergoes an abortion procedure. A “Parental Consent” law means that a parent
When faced with an unexpected pregnancy, there are three options: Abortion, Adoption, and Parenting. You might have mixed feelings about all three options. You might feel totally alone, with doubts and fears about your choices. If you’re not sure which option is right for you, that’s ok. This is your decision, no one can make
What is an ectopic pregnancy? Ectopic pregnancy is a potentially life-threatening condition in which an embryo implants outside of the uterus, most often in the fallopian tubes, which may cause the tube to burst.1 Ectopic pregnancy is a leading cause of death in first trimester pregnancies.2 Ectopic pregnancy requires specific medical intervention and cannot be
At the Women’s Clinics Maryland, we recommend STD testing prior to abortion to prevent undiagnosed STDs from spreading farther into the reproductive system.1 At most abortion clinics, STD testing prior to an abortion is not a routine procedure.2 Also, the abortion clinic may charge additional fees for testing. We offer free STD testing for women
The Women’s Clinics Maryland offers a free laboratory grade pregnancy test. While at-home tests may be very accurate, they can be mishandled or misread. Additionally, a pregnancy test cannot determine if your pregnancy is viable, (meaning living). The test can detect whether or not the pregnancy hormone (HCG) is present in your urine, but a
The term “abortion pill” is a misnomer. The medical (or medication) abortion can be an injection or combination of two pills or medications. The Abortion Pill (Mifeprex) is FDA approved to terminate pregnancies up to 7 weeks (49 days) from the LMP.1 Many women choose medication abortion thinking that it will be less painful or
A woman has many decisions to make when faced with an unplanned pregnancy. There are several options when considering abortion. Many women seeking an abortion consider the abortion pill, also known as RU 486 or Mifeprex. The FDA approves this method up to 7 weeks (49 days) from the last menstrual period.1 Although the failure