Frequently Asked Questions about Abortion
Is having an abortion safe?
Yes. Statistically, it is nine times more dangerous to go through childbirth than to have an abortion. Surgical abortion in a licensed facility such as CHOICES, especially in the first three months of
pregnancy when most abortions are performed, is the safest outpatient surgical procedure there is. At the same time, all medical procedures carry some risks. These will be carefully reviewed with you during the counseling session.
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Does it hurt to have an abortion?
Most women have general anesthesia for their abortion procedure. This means you will not feel, see or remember anything about the procedure itself. After the procedure, most women will experience some pain and
discomfort similar to menstrual cramps. This can be severe for some women, but the severity decreases quickly and should be mild by the time you are ready to leave CHOICES after your abortion. After you leave the Medical
Center, you can take any non-prescription pain reliever for your cramps.
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Does having an abortion cause mental problems?
Abortion will not cause mental illness. The president-elect of the American Psychiatric Association has stated, "meticulous research shows that there is no causal relationship between abortions and mental illnesses.
Women's mental health is jeopardized when laws require doctors to mislead them and is best served when women make their own decisions. That's why the American Psychiatric Association stands in favor of women's access to
reproductive health care." (Nada L. Stotland, M.D., in a letter to The New York Times, May 28, 2007)
In addition, Susan A. Cohen of the Guttmacher Policy Review has written: "It is fair to say that neither the weight of the scientific evidence to date nor the observable reality of 33 years of legal abortion in the United States
comports with the idea that having an abortion is any more dangerous to a woman's long-term mental health than delivering and parenting a child that she did not intend to have or placing a baby for adoption."
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How will I feel after having an abortion?
There is no one way to feel after having an abortion. Women experience feelings of happiness, sadness, empowerment, anxiety, grief, guilt or relief - and sometimes a combination, depending on their individual circumstances.
Often, making the choice to have an abortion is not something that women planned for and many may have felt that "it could never happen to me." Some women may regret their decision later, but it is our experience that overwhelmingly,
women who have abortions will continue to feel that it was the right decision. The right to choose means that women have the moral, legal and psychological authority to decide, because they are the ones who become pregnant and give birth.
This is a life-changing experience, and women are fully capable of taking responsibility for this important choice.
Whatever you may feel, the staff of CHOICES will support you and will be able to make follow-up counseling appointments if you desire.
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Will I be able to become pregnant and give birth after having an abortion?
There is no link between having an abortion and not being able to become pregnant and give birth when you choose to at some future time. Many, many women have had abortions and
have gone on to give birth to children later in their lives.
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Do I need permission from my parents or partner to have an abortion?
No. There are no such restrictions in New York State. At CHOICES, however, we urge that anyone 16 years or under bring a trusted adult with them for support.
CHOICES feels strongly that teen-aged women need to have the same access to reproductive health services as adult women and are fully capable of making decisions for themselves. At the same time,
we encourage parents, a close relative, or significant other to be part of the decision process for support and assistance. At CHOICES, these significant others can participate in the counseling
session if the woman chooses to have them there. At no time, however, is parental consent or notification required for a teen to come to CHOICES for an abortion or birth control.
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How is the abortion done?
This depends on how far into the pregnancy you are. If you are less than 13 weeks (the first trimester), then a simple procedure called suction curettage is used.
This means that the contents of the uterus are emptied using gentle suction. If you are beyond 13 weeks, please see our Second Trimester Abortion page for information about
the procedure, which may take 2-3 days.
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Will I be awake during the abortion procedure?
You will have a choice to have either general or local anesthesia. General anesthesia means that you are completely asleep during the procedure and will wake up shortly afterwards.
The great majority of women choose this. Local anesthesia means that you are awake during the procedure and your cervix is numbed to minimize any discomfort. You will discuss these options with
a counselor before the procedure. Some woman can't have general anesthesia for health reasons. It is overall your choice, but it is ultimately the physician's decision after s/he evaluates you.
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How long should I plan to be at Choices?
Although the abortion itself takes only a few minutes, you should plan to be at the Medical Center for 4-6 hours for a first trimester abortion.
(See our page on Second Trimester Abortion for information on that procedure, which generally requires you to come to CHOICES 2 or 3 days in a row.) This allows time
for necessary paperwork, a sonogram, lab tests, a counseling session, and recovery time after the abortion.
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Can I bring someone with me to Choices?
You will need someone to take you home, and it is up to you whether that person stays with you throughout the day or picks you up once you are ready to go home. You may bring whomever
you want, and they are encouraged to join you, if you desire, during your meeting with the counselor. During the abortion procedure, they will need to stay in the waiting area.
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How soon after the abortion can I return to normal activity?
It is important to protect yourself from infection after an abortion. For two weeks after your abortion, do not have sex, use tampons, take a tub bath, douche, or go swimming. Generally,
women feel well enough to return to work or school the day after their procedure, but it is important that you take as much time as you need to recover. It is normal to have bleeding and cramping for
about the length of time of your normal period. During that time, we advise you to avoid heavy lifting and exercise, as it may make your bleeding heavier.
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Or Visit our "What to expect in your Day at CHOICES for more information. |
| At CHOICES, we emphasize our philosophy of Patient Power, which means being an
informed consumer of medical treatment with the knowledge and information that enables each individual to make appropriate decisions about medical care, whether in the area of general health, surgery or birth control.
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