Same-Day Appointments
Don’t wait weeks to be seen; call today to find out about same-day appointment availability.
703-354-7272
When you discover you’re unexpectedly pregnant, what’s your first thought? You’re thinking this can’t be happening! But, as the realization settles in and you’re thinking about what to do, are you considering abortion?
Despite what you’ve heard, abortion is a serious medical decision. Although no one seems to mention it, the procedures have side effects and potential risks. Before you make an appointment at the abortion clinic, come to Metro Women’s Care for a pre-abortion consultation.
Our comprehensive consultations will give you the information you need to determine if abortion is right for you. There are three very important steps you should take before making a decision.
Even if you’ve taken an at-home pregnancy test, confirm the results with no-cost FDA-approved, lab-quality testing. A member of our professional medical staff will ask you some questions about your last period, and administer the test. You can be sure you’re getting accurate results.
If you’re considering abortion, you need to know how far along you are in your pregnancy. This is called the gestational age. The type of abortion you have will be determined by that date.
With no-cost ultrasound, you’ll get an accurate date of the number of weeks you’ve been pregnant. Plus, it will confirm if your pregnancy is viable (growing with a detectable heartbeat).
The Mayo Clinic states up to 20% of known pregnancies end in a natural miscarriage. An ultrasound scan will reveal if you’ve already miscarried. It will also locate your pregnancy. If it isn’t located in your uterus, it can be a life-threatening issue.
Did you know you have more than one option for your unexpected pregnancy? You actually have three. We offer no-cost personal counseling to talk about your current situation and where you hope to be in the future. You may be surprised when you hear all that’s available to you.
There are two types of abortion, medication and surgical abortion. The type of abortion you have depends on how long you’ve been pregnant, which is determined through our pre-abortion consultation.
Medication abortions typically occur when you are ten weeks or less in your pregnancy. Although the procedure often utilizes a medication called the Abortion Pill (also known as RU-486), it’s actually two powerful drugs taken within a 24 - 72 hour timeframe.
Your pregnancy needs progesterone to survive and thrive. The first drug taken in a medication abortion blocks the uterus from absorbing progesterone so the pregnancy can no longer continue. The second drug expels the pregnancy from your body through cramping and bleeding by triggering uterine contractions. Typically, medication abortions occur at home without in-person medical oversight so it's important to think through any potential physical risks based on your unique health and medical history. Additionally, during our pre-abortion consultations, our medical staff will help you think through the potential emotional impact of passing fetal tissue at home as part of a medication abortion.
According to the Mayo Clinic, potential physical risks of medication abortion include:
The side effects can include:
If you’ve been pregnant longer than ten weeks, you may be considering a surgical abortion. Because this method is a surgical procedure, it’s important to understand how risks and side effects may impact you.
There are several different surgical abortion methods that become more involved the longer you’ve been pregnant. The first and most common surgical abortion procedure is dilation and curettage (D & C). The abortion doctor uses small instruments or a medication to open (dilate) your cervix. Then, a surgical instrument called a curette is used to remove uterine tissue. Curettes used in a D&C can be sharp or use suction (also called vacuum aspiration).
According to the Mayo Clinic, these are some of the risks with a D & C:
Once you get farther into your second or third trimester, you could have a dilation and evacuation (D & E) or a dilation and extraction. These abortion procedures are more complex and may take place over several days.
Before you schedule an abortion, be sure to get your no-cost pre-abortion consultation. Not only do we provide no-cost pregnancy services, but we’ll also review your other options.
You deserve to have as much information as possible before you make your decision. We promise to provide truthful answers to all of your abortion questions. At Metro Women’s Care, there’s no judgment, no lectures, and no manipulation. We’re a team of women who care about you and your future.
Let us help you take a confident next step. Contact us for an appointment today.
Don’t wait weeks to be seen; call today to find out about same-day appointment availability.
703-354-7272
Make an Appointment