It is never easy to decide to terminate a pregnancy, whether it is intentional, unwanted or unexpected. The choice to have an abortion is very personal, and only you can make it. You can talk to your doctor, or close family and friends, about what you should do, but you don't have to feel compelled to opt for any particular solution. Learn about the laws and procedures governing abortion by doing your research, reflect on your lifestyle and values, and make the right decision for you.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Doing Your Research
Step 1. See your doctor
If you suspect that you are pregnant or have had confirmation from the test, make an appointment with your doctor, midwife or gynecologist. He can tell you what options are available to you, including aborting, giving up for adoption, or raising the baby.
- Your doctor shouldn't put any pressure on you, just inform you about the solutions you have available.
- If you are considering having an abortion, prepare a list of questions to ask the doctor. You will likely feel embarrassed or reluctant to talk to a stranger about this topic, but know that your doctor is ready to help you. If, on the other hand, you have the impression that it is urging you not to terminate the pregnancy (for a reason not strictly related to your health), consider going to another doctor.
Step 2. Find out about your privacy rights
If you are of legal age, you don't have to tell anyone about your decision to have an abortion. However, you may want to confide in a friend or relative you have a deep trust in so that she can help you get through the process.
If you are under the age of 18 and want to have an abortion, you will need to obtain the consent of your parents or, if there are serious reasons that prevent or discourage the consultation of the latter, the authorization of a tutelary judge is required before being able to proceed with the interruption. of pregnancy. Find out what the law for abortion of minors requires
Step 3. Clarify the information circulating about abortion complications
Since this is a controversial procedure, there is a lot of misinformation about abortion and its consequences. Do your research. Talk to your doctor. Search for information by consulting the website of the Ministry of Health or other reliable sources.
- Be cautious when researching online. Beware of any website that appears to be overtly abortionist or anti-abortionist.
- Keep in mind that the abortion procedure is almost safe and accompanied by complications only in 1% of cases.
- Know that it does not cause breast cancer. Furthermore, an uncomplicated abortion does not cause infertility or problems for future pregnancies.
- Abortion does not lead to "post-abortion" syndrome or other psychological health problems. However, it is a stressful episode, so some women have a difficult time after surgery if, for example, they already suffer from mood disorders or lack a support network.
Step 4. Determine if you are eligible for a medical (or drug) abortion
Medical abortion, i.e. the one that does not involve surgery, can be performed within 7 weeks (49 days) starting from the first day of the last menstrual cycle. The doctor will perform a physical exam, usually accompanied by an ultrasound, and then prescribe mifepristone and misoprostol.
- If you can and want to undergo a medical abortion, you will first need to take mifepristone, which blocks the body's production of progesterone, the hormone that ensures pregnancy is maintained.
- After 24-48 hours, you will need to take misoprostol, which will induce expulsion of the fetus. You will suffer from cramps and heavy bleeding, usually 4-5 hours after taking the drug.
- Once you have finished this cycle, you will need to see your doctor to make sure that the body has expelled all the tissues of the fetus. A medical examination, accompanied by an ultrasound, is absolutely necessary to ensure that the pregnancy has been successfully terminated. Failure to expel all debris could lead to complications and serious infections.
- The advantages of medical abortion are that it can be managed at home and performed during the early stages of pregnancy (as soon as you know you are pregnant). However, there are also risks if the uterus fails to fully expel the fetus. In these cases, you will probably need to undergo a surgical abortion.
Step 5. Learn about surgical abortion
Also known as an aspiration abortion, it can be performed within the first 90 days of gestation. The procedure involves dilating the cervix and inserting a small aspirator inside the uterus that removes the tissues of the fetus.
- The actual suction, or surgery, takes only a few minutes. Most of the time you spend in the clinic or hospital will be spent for the pain relievers or sedatives to start working, dilating the cervix and creating a large enough opening through which the aspirator will enter. The cervix can be spread apart with metal sticks of increasing thickness, drugs or dilators that expand through the absorption of liquids.
- You will need to spend at least an hour resting to avoid complications immediately following the surgery. When finished, you will be asked to make a checkup appointment.
- If you have been pregnant for more than 12 weeks, you may be undergoing the procedure called dilation and evacuation. It is similar to aspiration abortion but requires more time and equipment. Recovery may be slower than with aspiration abortion.
Part 2 of 3: Consider Your Values and Your State of Mind
Step 1. Analyze your current situation
Since you have to reflect on the decision to make, think about everything that is happening in your life and consider what consequences the pregnancy and the birth of a child would entail. You'd better focus on some issues yourself.
- Consider your financial possibilities. Can you afford to raise a child?
- Consider your personal beliefs about abortion. If you feel unable to deal with a pregnancy loss, would you consider giving the baby up for adoption?
- Think about your health. Would a pregnancy be harmful to your physical and psychological condition? Would you be able to handle the physical and emotional impact of the abortion?
- Think about your support network. Who would help you raise the baby? What role would your father have? If you've already had an abortion, who could stand next to support you?
Step 2. Discuss how you are feeling with other people
Talk to your partner, family or closest friends, who would never judge or influence your decision. Many women feel lonely when they experience an unwanted pregnancy. If you talk to someone who loves you and offers their support, you will feel less alone.
- If the father is present and part of your life, it would be best to talk to him about what you intend to do. Remember that you don't need to get any permission to have an abortion. If you feel that he may be putting pressure on you, avoid involving him.
- Don't let anyone influence your decision. For example, if a friend tells you, "If you terminate the pregnancy, I won't want to see you again because I think it's wrong to have an abortion," you might reply, "I'm sorry you think so, but please don't put any pressure on me. I have to do this. which is better for me ".
- Talk to someone who has already had an abortion. If you know another woman who has chosen to terminate a pregnancy in the past, ask her how she went through this whole experience and if, looking back, she considers it a right or wrong decision. You might ask her, "Do you feel comfortable talking about your abortion? Can I ask you a few questions about it? I am pregnant and I don't know what to do."
Step 3. Talk to a psychologist
The doctor or the people who work in the counseling centers can refer you to a professional to help you make a decision. Make sure that whatever counseling service you are told is impartial, does not make judgments, and does not attempt to push women into one choice or another.
- Do some research on the professionals or facilities that are suggested to you to make sure they work impartially. Be careful if they have links that you think are questionable (for example of a political or religious nature).
- Keep in mind that any reputable facility or psychologist will help you sift through all your options without making any judgments or obligations. If you feel pressured to make a certain decision, find someone else.
Part 3 of 3: Make a Decision
Step 1. Make a decision within the time allowed by law
If you are thinking about having an abortion, you need to decide as quickly as possible. While you have to be sure of your choice, on the other you must also understand that the sooner you decide to terminate the pregnancy, the easier it will be all the way. In addition, you will have various options available.
In Italy, abortion is legal within the first 90 days of pregnancy. After that it is only possible for therapeutic reasons
Step 2. Make a list
If you're still not sure what to do, try writing a list of the pros and cons of termination. By writing down your thoughts and feelings, you will be able to come to a decision more easily.
Write down the positives and negatives, no matter how small or important they seem. Compare the two lists. Consider three options (becoming a mother, having an abortion or giving up for adoption) or just two if, for example, you believe you are not ready to become a parent
Step 3. Take the next steps
Once you have made your decision, quickly proceed to the next steps. If you choose to continue the pregnancy, you will need to provide antenatal care as soon as possible. If you decide to stop, schedule the surgery as soon as possible.
- Keep in mind that you will likely need to go to a clinic or public health facility and consider the mandatory waiting times of the preoperative procedure. If you intend to do it privately, take into consideration the expenses for the exams, the surgery, the possible hospital stay and the doctor's compensation.
- If you plan to continue your pregnancy, try not to smoke, drink or take drugs, eat well and take prenatal vitamins, including folic acid, a nutrient necessary for the development of the fetus.
Step 4. Determine which methods of contraception to use in the future
At your next appointment with your doctor or gynecologist, consider discussing the need for birth control. Look for some alternatives on the Internet and discuss with him, trying to figure out which one might be the most suitable for your needs.
- If you decide to have an abortion, you can ask for an intrauterine device (IUD) to be inserted at the time of surgery. Talk to your gynecologist about this option. While it prevents unwanted pregnancies, it doesn't protect you from sexually transmitted infections.
- If you have a permanent partner, discuss together which method of contraception you would prefer to use in the future.
