Our teen years can be filled with a lot of fun times. There are school dances, extracurricular activities, and lots of laughter just hanging out with your favorite friends. But fun is rarely part of the picture for a teenager facing an unexpected pregnancy decision. If you’re strongly considering abortion, you aren’t alone. An abortion can seem like the strongest option for many teens. While some young women are confident it’s best, others might have a hard time deciding. What abortion information might be helpful to know as you make an informed decision? What are the possibilities that come after an abortion?
An abortion can be difficult to consider at any age, let alone as a teenager. At Avenue Women’s Center we support women in the first steps of a pregnancy decision, regardless of their age. Your confidentiality, safety, and privacy are our utmost concern as we provide you with free pregnancy decision services. Each of our five Chicagoland locations offers private consultations with our expert staff to learn accurate and reliable information about each of your options, including abortion. Contact us for your free appointment today!
Learning More: Abortion Information for Teens
A common reaction to pregnancy news as a teen is fear. It’s okay to be scared, but it’s important not to let fear drive or rush your decision. When considering abortion, there may be more to it than you’re aware of just yet. What important details might be involved to help you decide?
Different Types of Abortion
Surgical abortions are the most common and involve first stretching the cervix, then removing the contents of the uterus. The different surgical procedures include vacuum aspiration, dilation and curettage, dilation and evacuation, and labor-induced. The type of surgical abortion performed depends on how far along a pregnancy is, or the gestation age.
Medication, or medical, abortions are frequently referred to as the abortion pill. Depending on your medical history and the development of your pregnancy, the abortion pill is an option up until 10 weeks. It involves two medications taken in two phases. The first drug stops the pregnancy from progressing, and the second softens the cervix and causes the uterus to cramp and expel the contents.
Local Abortion Laws for Minors
Abortion laws vary from state to state. For minors under 18 years old in Illinois, parental consent is not required to have an abortion. However, Illinois law does require that a parent or guardian receive notification 48 hours prior to the abortion.
Considering What an Abortion Could Mean for You
Risks of Abortion
As with any medical procedure, there are potential risks involved with abortion. Everyone’s body handles an abortion differently. Some of the common complications can include heavy bleeding, severe abdominal or back pain, abnormal vaginal discharge, high fever, infection, injury to the uterus, and possible incomplete abortion (more likely with medical abortions).* While pain medication and antibiotics are often prescribed as preventative measures for these risks, it is recommended to receive follow up with your health care provider or doctor after an abortion.
After an Abortion
Some teens feel secure in their abortion decision, while others may experience challenging emotions. They might be relieved at first, but later feel remorse, guilt, shame, anger, anxiety, and sadness or depression. It can be difficult to tell how you’ll personally feel after an abortion. Before you decide, talk through your thoughts and emotions about abortion with a trusted person in your life, a counselor or therapist, or a pregnancy consultant. Often times, any apprehension or mixed emotions going into a decision can be insightful of how you might feel afterwards.
Find support and help in your decision at an Avenue Women’s Center nearest you. We are here to meet your needs as you decide what to do about your pregnancy situation. Your concerns will be heard with nonjudgmental compassion, and your questions will be answered with unbiased and reliable information. Our expert pregnancy consultants provide understanding of your unique situation and accurate details about all of your options, including abortion. Call, chat, email, or text for a free appointment in Elmhurst, Glen Ellyn / Lombard, Naperville, West Chicago, or Wood Dale, Illinois!
Reference:
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). (2015, May). Induced Abortion. Retrieved from: https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Induced-Abortion?IsMobileSet=false.
The information provided here is general in nature. It is not a substitute for a consultation with a medical professional. Before any medical procedure, it is imperative that you discuss your personal medical history, risks, and concerns with your doctor. If you have questions during or after a procedure, your doctor should be immediately contacted. Avenue Women’s Center is not an emergency center. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, such as bleeding and/or pain, seek immediate medical attention. Contact your physician, go to an emergency room, or call 911.