29 Jul Why Talk to Us About Abortion?
If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy, abortion may feel like the most immediate answer.
Before you decide, having accurate information about your pregnancy and the procedures involved can help you protect your health and move forward with confidence.
Lighthouse Pregnancy Resource Center offers a calm, confidential space where you can ask questions and get clarity on what is happening in your body.
We provide no-cost pregnancy testing and ultrasound services so you can begin from a place of certainty rather than guesswork.
Learning the Facts About Your Pregnancy
A positive at-home test is a starting point, but it cannot tell you everything you need to know.
Our lab-quality pregnancy test confirms your at-home result, and a follow-up ultrasound provides three pieces of information that directly affect your options:
- Gestational age. According to the FDA, the abortion pill is approved only through 10 weeks of pregnancy, and use beyond that window is linked to increased complications. An ultrasound measures how far along you are.
- Viability. About 10-20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage, but the number is likely higher because many women miscarry before they realize they are pregnant. If your pregnancy is no longer developing, you may need different medical care than an abortion procedure.
- Location. An ectopic pregnancy implants outside the uterus. It will not respond to an abortion and is treated as a medical emergency.
Understanding the Risks
Any type of abortion is a serious medical decision and carries risks to your health.
For example, while you may have heard that the abortion pill is a simple solution to an unplanned pregnancy, there are known risks that you should be aware of, including:
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
- An ongoing pregnancy if the drugs do not work
- An incomplete abortion, which may require a surgical procedure
Research also shows that abortion is consistently associated with elevated rates of mental illness, including depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, substance abuse, and suicidal behaviors, compared with women without a history of abortion.
Knowing these outcomes in advance allows you to weigh them honestly.
A Steady Place to Start
Some health conditions may also affect whether you are eligible for the abortion pill, which is why speaking with a trusted team before any appointment matters.
Lighthouse Pregnancy Resource Center is here to be that steady point of guidance.
Same-day appointments are usually available at our Hawthorne, Hackensack, Paterson, and Wayne locations.
Contact us to schedule your no-cost, confidential appointment. You deserve clear answers before you decide.