If your partner is pressuring you to have an abortion, it’s important to know that this is never okay. While your partner’s feelings about the pregnancy are valid, the decision about how to move forward in the pregnancy is yours alone to make. 

In fact, it’s critical to ensure that you’re making your own pregnancy decision—your mental health depends on it. According to a study, women who feel even subtly pressured into an abortion are more likely to experience negative mental health impacts (like anxiety and depression) after the procedure. 

If your partner is making you feel pressured into an abortion, there are steps you can take to protect your mental and physical health. This article will highlight these steps. 

However, if you want to talk to someone in person about your pregnancy options or learn about our supportive services, contact Women’s Clinic of the Antelope Valley today to schedule a free, confidential appointment. 

Learn All You Can About Your Pregnancy Options

The best way to ensure you’re making your own pregnancy decision is to learn all you can about your pregnancy options, which include parenting, adoption, and abortion.

While only you can decide what pregnancy option is right for you, asking yourself the following questions can help:

• What questions do I have about these options?
• Which option am I leaning toward and why?
• What might my life look like if I choose parenting? Adoption? Abortion?
• How might I feel if I choose parenting? Adoption? Abortion?

When considering your options, it’s critical to remember that circumstances change. By taking small steps in the right direction, you can land a higher-paying job and accomplish your goals—which is why you shouldn’t let circumstances dictate your pregnancy decision.

Know the Risks of Abortion

There are two types of abortion: medical and surgical. And both types of abortion come with risks to your health.

Medical abortion

(also known as the “abortion pill”) involves taking two powerful drugs that work together to terminate and expel your pregnancy from your uterus, thus ending the pregnancy.  

These drugs are only FDA-approved if your pregnancy is 10 weeks gestation or under. If you take them and your pregnancy is further along, you’re more likely to experience an incomplete abortion, which is when parts of the terminated pregnancy remain in your uterus. This can lead to prolonged bleeding and infection, among other risks. 

Surgical abortion

is performed in a clinic or hospital setting, and it involves the dilation (opening up) of your cervix so that medical instruments, like strong suction, scraping tools, or forceps, can enter your uterus to remove the uterine contents. One of the main risks of surgical abortion is uterine perforation, which happens when one of the medical instruments pokes a hole in your uterus. 

How Can I Protect My Health?

No matter what pregnancy decision you’re considering, getting an ultrasound is the most important first step to take. This simple scan will give you the information you need to stay healthy and make an informed decision. 

At Women’s Clinic of the Antelope Valley, we offer a limited OB ultrasound at no cost to you to confirm that the fetus is located within the uterus and there’s a heartbeat. The scan will also help determine the gestational age (which is especially important if you’re thinking about a medical abortion).

Contact us today to schedule your free, confidential appointment. You’re not alone in this. We’re here for you.