Pregnancy can bring a wide range of emotions. For some, it’s a new and exciting time. For others, especially when a pregnancy is unexpected, it can bring feelings of uncertainty and anxiety. You may find yourself rethinking your plans for the future or worrying about the financial impact; or maybe you have other children at home and wonder how adding another family member will impact your sleep, your routine, and your already busy schedule. If you’re facing an unexpected pregnancy, taking the time to process your feelings and understand your options can help you make a decision that feels right for you and your future.
What Are My Pregnancy Options?
When you find yourself pregnant, you have 3 options: parenting, adoption, and abortion.
Parenting
Many women who become pregnant decide to continue the pregnancy to full term. Parenting can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it can also come with emotional, physical and financial challenges.
If you choose to parent, you don’t have to navigate it alone. We provide free resources and support for women facing an unplanned pregnancy, helping them navigate this important decision with confidence and care.
Contact our team or call (239) 766-5977 to learn more about our pregnancy support services.
Modern Adoption
You may also choose to make an adoption plan. Modern adoption offers flexibility, giving you the opportunity to play an active role in choosing the family that will raise your child. Some modern adoption components include:
- Choosing and meeting the family before delivery
- Creating your own hospital plan for delivery
- Counseling before and after placement
- Assistance for living expenses
- Future and career planning support
You also have a choice over your level of involvement with your child. You may choose to have an open adoption with an ongoing relationship with the adoptive family and child, a semi-open adoption with limited communication, or a closed adoption with no ongoing communication with your child and adoptive family.
Adoption is one of several options to consider when facing an unplanned pregnancy. If adoption is a path you’re exploring, our team at Aspire can provide connections to local adoption agencies and resources to help you learn more.
Abortion
You may also choose to end your pregnancy through an abortion. There are two types of abortions: medical abortions (also known as the abortion pill) and surgical abortions. Abortion laws, including gestational limits, differ from state to state. In Florida, the gestational abortion limit is 6 weeks.
Medical abortions involve two separate drugs taken at different intervals to terminate a pregnancy. The first pill blocks progesterone, which your body produces to sustain fetal development. When progesterone is blocked, the pregnancy cannot continue.
The second pill is taken 24 to 48 hours after the first pill. It causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy. Many women choose the abortion pill since it can be taken at home. However, there can be some side effects. Some side effects can include:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever and chills
- Headache
- Fatigue
More serious risks can include:
- Heavy or prolonged bleeding
- Infection and Sepsis
- An incomplete abortion requiring follow-up surgical treatment
- In some cases, the drugs may not work, and the pregnancy continues
Complications can occur after a medical abortion, so it’s important to know the warning signs and when to seek emergency medical care.
What Is Needed to Have an Abortion in Florida?
Before any kind of abortion, clinics require a medical-grade pregnancy test to confirm the pregnancy and an ultrasound scan to confirm the gestational age and location of the pregnancy. This is very important as ectopic pregnancies (pregnancies outside the uterus) could be life-threatening if not treated.
The ultrasound also confirms cardiac activity, which is necessary as 10-20% of early pregnancies end in miscarriage.
It’s also important to receive STI testing. Having an abortion with an untreated STD/STI puts you at risk for complications, so it is important to identify and treat infections to support your health.
In Florida, individuals seeking an abortion likely only have weeks to decide what to do, but it’s important to make an informed decision instead of deciding out of haste and urgency. Our pregnancy support staff can walk you through all your options and provide you with pregnancy resources regardless of what decision you make.
Free Pre-Abortion Screening and Unplanned Pregnancy Support in SWFL
We know unplanned pregnancies can be stressful to navigate. That’s why our clinic is happy to provide free pregnancy resources and judgment-free support to individuals facing unplanned pregnancies. We offer free pre-abortion screenings including medical-grade pregnancy testing, limited OB ultrasounds, and STI testing if applicable.
Whether you have made a pregnancy decision or you’re exploring your options, our medical staff and registered nurses are here to provide the services you need to protect your health and safety.
Contact us or call (239) 766-5977 to schedule an appointment for a free pre-abortion screening and pregnancy options consultation.
