ABORTIONUNEXPECTED PREGNANCY

By Emiljana Melo

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

O What methods are available?O What does it cost? Must the fee be

paid at once?O Are there age requirements?O Can I bring someone else with me?O How long should I expect to be late

at the clinic?

Preparing For Your Abortion

O The anxiety is very normalO Meditation, deep breathing, or herbal

teas may help you relaxO If you are planning to have Iv sedation or

general anesthesia then you will be advised to avoid food after midnight

O Give yourself positive messagesO Make sure to have all the paper work

such as insurance card and identification card

Abortion MethodsO 88 percent are performed during first

trimester using vacuum aspiration or medication abortion

O In a medication abortion the pregnancy is interrupted using drugs

O In vacuum aspiration, suction is used to terminate the pregnancy

O In USA most second-trimester abortions are done by dilation of the cervix and the use of instruments

O The length of pregnancy is counted from the first day of last normal menstrual period

MEDICATION ABORTIONO Ends the pregnancy within the first nine

weeks. Mifepristone(abortion pill) and misoprostol are the two –drug regimen.

O It is swallowed or inserted to the vaginaO Mifepristone works by blocking

progesterone (a hormone that is needed for the uterus to maintain pregnancy)

O Misoprostol is taken two days after mifepristone, it causes the cervix to become soft and uterus to cramp

Types of anesthesia used for abortion

O Local anesthesia- injection of medication to the cervix

O IV sedation-Injection of pain medication into a vein

O General Anesthesia- Administration of drugs to cause unconsciousness

O Vomiting, nausea, drowsiness, some alergic reaction are some ot the side effects.

SYMPTOMS AFTER ABORION

O HEAVY BLEEDINGO PAINO FEVERO CONTINUED SYMPTOMS OF

PREGNANCY

Abortion Access in the U.S

O Between 1982 and 2000, the number of hospitals provoding abortions decreased 57 percent

O Only seventeen states provide Medicaid funsing for medically necessary abortions in most cases

O Only 18 percent of ob-gyn residency programs train all residents in abortion procedures

Taking Action

O Abortion oponents have created an atmosphere that is stigmatizing, threatening, and violent

O Abortion right activists continue to stand up against these forces in all kinds of ways

O By organizing large national demonstrations

O Clinic defense, public educationO Support for Abortion

WHAT YOU CAN DO

O Be visible about your supportO Talk toy our family, friends,

coworkersO Talk about your experiences with

abortionO Give financial support to

organizationsO Ask your ob-gyn if he or she

performs abortionO Participate in or organize a

demonstration