What You Need to Know 

Before Considering an Abortion

If you think you might be pregnant, get a free urine test at the center.  There is no profit-motivation for us from your choice.  We provide a urine pregnancy test free of charge to women.

You have a right to know what type of abortion you will have and what this surgery will involve. For pregnancies of less than 14 weeks, the type of abortion most commonly done is the suction abortion, sometimes called vacuum aspiration abortion. In this procedure, the cervix is stretched open (dilated), the instrument for the abortion is inserted into the uterus, the suction machine is turned on, and the contents of the uterus is suctioned out and then put into a medical waste container.

Although serious medical complications from a first trimester abortion are statistically low, there is always the possibility that you will be the one to suffer an injury or complication. Some of the possible risks are:

The developing baby in your uterus has the following characteristics:

At conception- 23 chromosomes from both the mother and father unite and then, already determined, is the sex of the baby, the hair and eye color, the personality type, the body type, the intelligence, and many other features of the child

20 days-the foundation of the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system already established.

21 days-the heart begins beating.

28 days-backbone and muscles are forming; arms, legs, eyes have begun to show

40 days-brain waves can be detected and recorded

6 weeks-brain begins to control movement of muscles and organs

7 weeks-embryo begins to move spontaneously.

8 weeks-now called fetus (Latin for "unborn child"); everything is now present that will be found in an adult.

9 weeks-fingerprints are already evident in the skin.

10 weeks-fetus can squint, swallow, suck its thumb.

12 weeks-fetus now sleeps, wakens, and exercises its muscles-turning its head, curling its toes.

Initially, many women may report feelings of relief following an abortion. However, during the weeks, months or years following an abortion, they very frequently experience some of the following:

The fact that abortion is legal does not guarantee a high standard of medical care. Many abortion clinics will not volunteer the name of the doctor unless you insist on knowing it. In case of complications or injury due to malpractice, you need to know the name of the doctor who should be held accountable. It is unlikely that you would agree to have any other kind of surgical procedure done without knowing the name of the doctor.

Since abortion is elective surgery, you can change your mind at any time right up until the abortion has begun. You have every right to say, "I’ve changed my mind" while you are in the waiting room or on the table awaiting the abortion. No person should try to persuade you to continue if you don’t want to. Saying, "Stop!" is your right. Don’t be pressured into having the abortion if you’ve decided against it or just want time to reconsider.

If the abortion clinic does not offer this service, you may want to think twice about having your abortion performed there.

An abortion clinic might insist that a patient sign a statement saying she will not hold the clinic or doctor liable for the damages which might occur because of the abortion. However, this document has virtually NO legal authority. If you are injured during the abortion, you retain your right to seek financial compensation in a court of law, regardless of what you signed.

Call us toll-free at 1.866.352.0077   or at 601.684.3988     

We want to help you!

Copyright © Crisis Pregnancy Center of Southwest Mississippi
Last modified: September 09, 2009