There is much talk about a woman’s right to an abortion. But seldom is it discussed what that abortion may cost a woman. We believe that if you are going to make a decision, you need to have all of the facts available to you in order to make the most educated decision that is best for you – for now and your future.
So, what does an abortion cost? There is a financial cost of an abortion to be sure, but there are also physical and emotional costs to consider.
The Financial Cost of an Abortion
Financially, abortion costs vary depending on how far along the pregnancy is and what type of procedure is performed. They can range from several hundreds to thousands of dollars. That is why it is so important to be sure you have all the necessary facts before moving forward.
The questions you need answers to before having an abortion would be:
Are you pregnant? Home pregnancy tests are all different and some can be tricky to read. Also, many different factors can impact the reliability of home pregnancy tests.
Is it a viable pregnancy? Many early pregnancies end in miscarriage naturally for a variety of reasons. Before spending money on an abortion, it’s important to find out if the pregnancy is healthy enough to continue on its own.
Could you have a STI? Certain sexually transmitted infections can cause serious and permanent complications if left untreated before an abortion.
The Steps You Need to Take in This Process
The first step in getting the answers you need in order to make an informed decision is to get a medical-grade pregnancy test performed by a competent medical provider. After you have verified that you are pregnant, you will need an ultrasound to confirm you have a progressing (viable) pregnancy. You also should be tested for STIs and treated if the test is positive. It is in your best interest to gather all your facts and options before paying money for a procedure to end a pregnancy that might end on its own anyway.
The Physical Cost of an Abortion
Secondly, there is the physical cost to consider. It can be difficult to understand the physical toll of an abortion on a woman’s body, but there are some important things to consider. Hemorrhage, cramping, infection, hormonal imbalance, infertility, and death are just some of the potential consequences. These physical effects can be intense and some of them can impact your health and fertility permanently.
The Emotional Cost of an Abortion
The hidden cost of an abortion, the emotional cost, is the one that few women consider because it’s a taboo subject in our culture. Abortion is supposed to bring relief to a woman’s situation, so when she has post-abortion feelings of anxiety, depression, guilt, regret, shame, or thoughts of suicide instead, these feelings have added impact because they come as a surprise to her. These emotions can manifest soon after the abortion or surface years later. Since she was the one who made the choice to have an abortion, the post-abortive woman may feel like she has no right to these intense feelings. Emotional healing is possible after abortion, but many women say they would have made a different choice if they had known the devastation abortion would cause in their lives.
For more articles on the effects of abortion, check out:
The Very Real Effects of Abortion – Physical Facts You Need
The Very Real Effects of Abortion – Emotional Facts You Need
You can also read about our post-abortion program here:
Awakenings
At Advice & Aid our goal is to empower women to make educated choices about their health and well-being. We provide medical and educational services before, during and after pregnancies for women and their partners. We can provide answers to all the questions they should be asking before having an abortion…all at no cost! We also offer programs for women who have experienced an abortion in the past and are seeking help and healing.
Your first step, no matter where you are in the process, is as easy as clicking a button to schedule an appointment to come in and just talk with one of our client advocates. No agenda, no pressure, no judgment. Just answers that you are looking for.
