Making a decision on whether or not you want to go to a pregnancy termination clinic, whether the child was expected or not, can be incredibly difficult and potentially traumatic. The decision to get an abortion is one that is incredibly personal, and as the woman who is carrying the child, only you should have to final say.
Of course, there are professionals and loved ones you can talk to for advice on how to make a decision, but you should never allow yourself to be coerced into making a decision you don’t feel comfortable with.
Let’s take a look at some steps you can take to make the process of deciding whether or not to get a pregnancy termination easier.
Do your own research before anything else
Before you make any decisions, you need to make sure you are fully educated about your situation. If you know that you are carrying a child, then your first point of call should be your doctor.
Your doctor will be able to give you advice on the various options you have, such as getting a pregnancy termination, giving the baby up for adoption or raising it yourself. Your doctor should never try to push you in any particular direction, only give you objective facts.
If you are considering getting an abortion, make sure to ask your doctor all of the questions you might have. There may be complications to your health that your doctor will be able to identify and advise you on.
It’s also important to do research because, since abortion is a controversial issue, there is a lot of misinformation out there that may confuse your decision. Only ever get your information from reputable sources such as your doctor and government websites.
Examine your current life circumstances and personal values
There is no doubt that the biggest factor that influences a woman’s choice to get a pregnancy termination is her own values and the circumstances of her life. Many young women want to have children at some point in their life but may not necessarily want to raise a child in their current circumstances.
Children cost money to take care of and provide for, not to mention a great deal of emotional commitment. A child will change your life forever, and you will likely need to dial back on other aspects of your life to make room for it.
Also, think about your personal values towards getting a pregnancy termination. If you are opposed to the idea of an abortion, would you consider putting the child up for adoption?
You should also consider what kind of support network you have around you. Will the father be involved? Do you have people to support you if you were to raise the child by yourself?
Make a decision as early as you can
It’s important to make a decision about your pregnancy termination as early as possible. This is because the earlier an abortion is performed; the easier any procedure will be on your body.
On the other hand, if you decide to keep the baby then you will need to begin prenatal care as soon as you can to ensure its health.
If you are really struggling to come to a final decision, try to make a list of the pros and cons of having the child. Having everything laid out in front of you on a piece of paper can be really helpful.
Hopefully the above information is able to help you come to a decision regarding pregnancy termination that you are 100% sure of.
