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  • How to tell if you're pregnant...
  • Pregnancy tests...
  • If your pregnancy test is positive...
  • If your pregnancy test is negative...
  • Abortion options...
  • Medical abortions...
  • Surgical abortions...
  • Herbal abortions...
  • Finding a clinic, doctor or Planned Parenthood...
  • Paying for an abortion...
  • Teen abortion...
  • Partners and abortion...
  • After abortion support...
  • Abortion and religion...
  • Abortion and fertility...
  • Reproductive rights and getting involved...
  • Sex education and birth control...
  • Abortion statistics...
  • Abortion statistics by age, race, religion and more...
  • Birth control statistics...
  • How to tell if you're pregnant...
    Everybody is different and pregnancy symptoms, their intensity, or the lack thereof completely varies from woman to woman. If you've missed your period, start looking for signs like fatigue, nausea/morning sickness, swollen and/or tender breasts, darkening of areolas, food cravings, moodiness, backaches and headaches. However, detecting the early stages of pregnancy can sometimes be difficult, especially if you're emotionally stressed by the concept of being pregnant.

    Pregnancy tests...
    There are two main types of pregnancy tests, and they're both about 99% accurate. The first type, a home pregnancy test (HPT), checks the urine for the hCG (pregnancy) hormone. Since HPT's are inexpensive, private and easy to use, most women generally first resort to this method. An HPT can be used about a week after your missed period. First Response also offers an HPT that can determine pregnancy up to six days before a missed period (with a higher inaccuracy rate that decreases the closer you get to your period.) Planned Parenthood also offers urine pregnancy tests, by walk-in and appointment.

    The second type of pregnancy test checks the blood for the pregnancy hormone hCG. There are two types of blood pregnancy tests and both must be administered in a doctor's office. The first, a quantitative blood test (or the beta hCG test) measures the exact amount of hCG in your blood and can tell you if you're pregnant about six to eight days after you ovulate. The second blood test, a qualitative blood test, checks to see if the pregnancy hormone is pregnant and is about as accurate as a urine test.

    If your pregnancy test is positive...
    There's a very good chance you're pregnant. The next step is to visit a health care provider to confirm the results and discuss your options. This can be stressful but try to relax, take a deep breath and talk your pregnancy over with a loved one.

    If your pregnancy test is negative...
    You're probably not pregnant. However, you may have taken the test too early, or not had a detectable amount of hCG in your urine. Wait a couple days and repeat the test. If it's still negative, but you believe you're pregnant, make an appointment at a doctor's office or Planned Parenthood for further testing (blood test or sonogram.)

    Abortion options...
    Once you decide you're going to have an abortion, the next choice is deciding what type of abortion. In general, there are three options for terminating a pregnancy; medical abortion (also called non-surgical abortion), surgical abortion and herbal abortion. Most abortion clinics and Planned Parenthoods offer both medical and surgical options.

    Medical abortions...
    A medical abortion involves taking the FDA-approved drug mifepristone (generic name RU-486, brand name Mifeprex.) Mifepristone is not available over the counter and must be provided by a doctor or health care professional. If choosing mifepristone, understand that two or more visits are required to complete the process as another drug, misoprostol, must also be taken (as well as a follow up exam.) Mifepristone is only an option for terminating a pregnancy in the first 49 days (7 weeks) after your last period. Mifepristone should not be confused with the morning after pill.

    Surgical abortions...
    Surgical abortions are medical procedures that must be performed at a Planned Parenthood, clinic or health care provider's office. There are several types of surgical abortions, and the length of your pregnancy will generally determine which method is most suitable. Aspiration, also knows as vacuum or suction aspiration, involves dilating the cervix and then inserting a tube into the uterus. Gentle suction is then used to empty the uterus of fetal tissue. This method can also be called a D & A (dilation and aspiration) and is generally only performed in the first 16 weeks or first trimester of a pregnancy.

    The D & C (dilation and cutterage) option involves dilating the cervix and then using a curette to scrape away the uterine lining and remove any remaining tissue. The D & E (dilation and evacuation) option involves dilating the cervix and then using instruments such as forceps, along with suction, to empty the uterus. D & E is typically performed during the second trimester (or 13th-24th week of pregnancy.) Less common surgical options are an induction abortion, in which salt water, urea or potassium chloride are used to terminate the pregnancy. Another option is a D & X (dilation and extraction), which is generally used after 21 weeks gestation.

    Herbal abortions...
    Although herbal abortions are an option, little research has been done on their safety and effectiveness, and herbal abortions are not a reliable option for terminating a pregnancy. If considering an herbal abortion, please consult with a licensed health care practitioner and herbalist. Arbortifacients (herbs used to induce abortion) are strong, powerful herbs that can be dangerous. SisterZeus offers in depth information about herbal abortions (but is not a how to): http://www.sisterzeus.com/Abortif.htm

    Finding a clinic, doctor or Planned Parenthood...
    If possible, get a referral from a friend or loved one (or try the Supportion discussion forum.) Ask around. If that's not possible, research online. Once you find a clinic or doctor that sounds good, call and ask about their services, fees and the qualifications of their staff. Ask as many questions as you want. If you'd like, ask for an appointment before you set up your abortion to check out the office and meet the staff. You should feel completely confident and comfortable with your choice of provider. Finally, beware anti-abortion crisis counseling centers masquerading as abortion clinics. These centers will be listed in the yellow pages under "abortion alternatives" and exist mainly to talk women out of considering abortion. Consult Crisis Pregnancy Center Watch at http://cpcwatch.org/index.php for a comprehensive list of known CPCs. Or to find a trusted clinic or information about abortion services, consult http://www.abortionconversation.com/ or http://choicelinkup.com/index.php.

    Paying for an abortion...
    The cost of an abortion varies and depends on your abortion method, how far along you are and what pain relief you choose. If you have health insurance, check your plan to see if elective abortion is covered, or call your chosen clinic and ask if they accept your insurance plan. If you're on Medicaid, check with your chosen clinic to see if they accept Medicaid. Federal guidelines mandate that Medicaid cover your abortion if your pregnancy is endangering your life, or the result of rape or incest. Several states also currently cover abortion in other circumstances. For more information, consult the National Abortion Federation's website at http://www.prochoice.org/about_abortion/facts/public_funding.html. If you don't have health insurance, there are several ways you can receive financial assistance for your abortion. National Network of Abortion Funds offers financial assistance in the United States. More information is available at http://www.nnaf.org/index.html. Financial assistance is also available through WRRAP (Women's Reproductive Rights Assistance Project) at http://www.nnaf.org/index.html.

    Teen abortion...
    If you're under 18 and seeking an abortion, check with your state laws to see how to proceed. A comprehensive list of laws can be found at http://www.essortment.com/articles/abortion_laws_100000.htm or http://parentingteens.about.com/od/teenpregfact/a/abortion_laws.htm. In some states, parental permission is required, in other states there may be a 24 hour waiting period from the time you consult a counselor or doctor until the time they are able to perform your abortion. However, we're at a critical juncture in reproductive rights, and these laws are subject to change. For help talking to your parents about your pregnancy and options, consult Mom, Dad, I'm Pregnant at http://www.momdadimpregnant.com/.

    Partners and Abortion...
    Mental health resources are available for the partners of women having an abortion. A Talk Line is available at both http://www.yourbackline.org/talkline.html and http://4exhale.org/. Men and Abortion offer support and resources at http://menandabortion.com/.

    After abortion support...
    We highly encourage you to discuss your abortion with your loved ones and to ask for their understanding and help. We know how hard it can be to fear judgment or shame from those around you. But talking about your abortion is crucial; not only so you can receive the physical and emotional support you need, but so you can help others understand that abortion is not wrong, bad or shameful. However, sometimes it's not possible to discuss your abortion with the people in your life. If you prefer to share your feelings anonymously, there are many options. You can call a counselor or post your story on Supportion or a myriad of other discussion forums or chat rooms (just beware pro-life websites masquerading as pro-choice.) If you'd like to call and speak to someone over the phone, contact Exhale- an after abortion counseling hotline. More information at http://www.4exhale.org.

    Abortion and religion...
    If you're seeking religious counseling or a pro-choice clergy member, there are several religious organizations that staunchly support reproductive rights and offer post abortion support. Consult The Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice at http://www.rcrc.org, Catholics for a Free Choice at http://www.catholicsforchoice.org or the National Council of Jewish Women at http://www.ncjw.org.

    Abortion and fertility...
    When considering an abortion, many women's main concern is their ability to have children in the future. According to the Mayo Clinic, there is no correlation between elective abortion and future infertility. However, just like any medical or surgical procedure, there are always risks. Consider this, miscarriages are medically treated the same way as abortions (usually a D & C is performed.) Yet women who miscarry aren't threatened with infertility.

    Abortion safety statistics as complied by the Guttmacher Institute (a World Health Organization): Fewer then 0.3% of women obtaining abortions experience a complication that requires hospitalization. Reviews by U.S and British government panels conclude that there is no association between abortion and breast cancer, nor does abortion pose a risk factor for other cancers.

    The risk of death associated with abortion increases with the length of pregnancy. In abortions performed at or before eight weeks, there is one death for every million abortions. Abortions performed from 16-20 weeks have one death per every 29,000 abortions. Abortions performed at 21 weeks or later have an increase to one death per every 11,000 abortions.

    Teens are more likely to delay having an abortion until 15 weeks of pregnancy, when the medical risks are significantly higher.

    Reproductive rights and getting involved...
    We're currently at a pivotal juncture in the debate over reproductive rights and we must remember that this is no one's fight but our own. The easiest way to defend our reproductive rights is by sharing our stories and helping others understand the importance of safe, legal abortion. However, there are also many amazing organizations defending our reproductive rights. For further information, news, or to get involved or donate, check out some of the following organizations:

    Reproductive rights and getting involved...
    Remember, abortion is not birth control. For an in depth list of birth control options and answers to frequently asked questions about birth control, consult Planned Parenthood at http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/birth-control-4211.htm or The National Women's Health Information Center at http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/birth-control-methods.cfm. Or go to your doctor, clinic or Planned Parenthood and discuss your options with a health care practitioner.

    Abortion statistics...
    Facts on induced abortion as compiled by the Guttmcher Institute and Planned Parenthoods Family Planning Perspectives:
    Abortion statistics by age, race, religion and more...
    Birth control statistics...
    More statistics at http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/fb_induced_abortion.html.