Abortion
If you are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, you may be under a lot of stress and anxiety. It's tough to imagine your future right now. Perhaps you are anticipating an abortion. There are other options. The problem is, it's difficult to think clearly about the impact that this decision will have on your life. Give yourself the time and information so you can decide with clear thinking. This is an important decision, and you need all the information possible.
YOUR CHOICES
Basically, you have three choices: you can have the baby and parent him or her yourself, you can release the baby for adoption, or you can have an abortion. This is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make in your life. Like all major decisions, the more informed you are, the better equipped you are to make an intelligent (not an emotional) decision, and to take responsibility for the decision.
Don't forget: an unwanted pregnancy affects other people in your life: the father, your parents, your close friends. Talk to these people as calmly as possible. If you feel that you cannot share your crisis with anyone, call the Life Center. An understanding counselor will answer your questions, listen to you, and provide you with accurate information. You can receive an important list of questions to ask a doctor before you decide, so you can make an informed decision. You don't have to go through this journey alone.
KNOW THE FACTS
Millions of women have had abortions and some have had no regrets, but many experience a time years later when they wish they had known about their unborn baby's development. Often, this awareness occurs with a wanted pregnancy years after their abortion. Here are just a few facts about life in the womb:
DAY 1 The moment your egg is fertilized by a sperm, it contains the plans for every detail of the baby's development, including sex, hair and eye color, and height.
WEEK 3 The brain, spinal chord, and nervous system develop.
WEEK 4 The heart begins to beat.
WEEK 5 Arms with hands and fingers, legs with feet and toes, and eyes can be seen.
WEEK 9 The body is nearly complete. Changes after this week are primarily changes in size.
WEEK 13 The baby moves and can make a fist. The mother can't feel the movement yet.
MONTH 4 The baby is 8 to 10 inches longs and weighs 1½ pounds. The mother may begin to feel movement.
MONTH 5 The baby may jump in response to a loud noise.
MONTH 6 If the baby was born during this month and given special care, he or she could survive.
PHYSICAL RISKS
Not all women experience any or all of the following, but as someone who is considering an abortion, you have the right to be aware of possible complications.1
HEMORRHAGE
Sometimes women bleed heavily during an abortion or a few days afterwards. Sometimes a second medical procedure is needed to stop the bleeding.
INFECTION
The uterus is susceptible to infection right after an abortion. Infections are even more of a risk if you have Chlamydia or Gonorrhea. Infection is generally treated with antibiotics. If untreated, a very serious infection can develop and can result in infertility.
PERFORATION
Sometimes the tools of abortion are accidentally pushed through the wall of the uterus during an abortion. This complication can cause extensive bleeding and infection.
EFFECTS ON LATER PREGNANCY
Injury to the cervix may cause the early loss of a later wanted pregnancy. Scarring, which can block your fallopian tubes, may also occur. This can keep you from becoming pregnant in the future. The risk of miscarriage in later pregnancies is higher if a woman has had two or more abortions.
ECTOPIC PREGNANCY
The fetus may be growing in your fallopian tube rather than in your uterus. An abortion procedure would miss this. The continued growth of the fetus in your tube is dangerous and potentially fatal.
DEATH
Although this is rare, death has occurred after abortion. When abortion is done after the first three months of pregnancy, the risk of death increases. The cause of death by abortion is usually from heavy bleeding or from complications with the drugs used for pain.
EMOTIONAL RISKS
Some women experience an immediate feeling of relief following an abortion, but many women are faced with emotions and feelings that they didn't expect. Some women may have a difficult time talking about these feelings, especially if their pregnancy and abortion were secret. These emotions may include: sadness, long-term grief, anger, sexual dysfunction, guilt, flashbacks, and difficulty keeping close relationships.2
CONSIDER THE PERMANENT
Though you will make many important decisions in your life, abortion is a permanent and serious decision that cannot be undone. You are more than a body with emotions. You were created to know God and experience a living relationship with Him. The Bible is very clear about God's love for all of us from the time we were conceived.
You [God] saw me before I was born, every day of my life was recorded in Your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day passed. (Psalm 139:15-16)
God cares about you and this decision you are making. Every one of us is created for a purpose. No life is a mistake.
Resist the pressure to make a quick decision. Take some time to make sure you understand the consequences and are willing and able to accept them.
Whatever you decide, help is available at the Life Center. You don't have to be alone.
"I WISH I HAD KNOWN"
Are you hurting because of an abortion? You may feel a terrible burden of guilt, anger, fear, or other painful emotions. Maybe it's worse because your abortion is secret and you have been carrying your burden alone--perhaps for years.
Whatever pain you are experiencing, you are not alone. Many women are struggling with the same grief. Many have found healing and hope through compassionate counseling at their local pregnancy center.
We recognize that sometimes in working through your feelings you may need someone to talk to. We want to help you in any way we can. Please contact us. We care.
NOTES
1Hern, Warren. "Long-Term Risks of Induced Abortion." Gynecology and Obstetrics 6 (1994).
2Rosenfeld, JoAnn, MD. "Emotional Responses to Therapeutic Abortion." American Family Physician Vol. 45, No. 1 (January 1992).
OTHER SOURCES
Frontlines Publishing, Grand Rapids, MI