If you’re in your second trimester of pregnancy (weeks 13-27), your pregnancy options include parenting, adoption, or surgical abortion. However, since abortion is illegal in Alabama, you would need to travel out of state to seek an abortion.
As you think through your pregnancy options, it’s important to learn all the facts before deciding. This article will highlight the essentials you need to know about each option. But if you want to talk to someone about your pregnancy or learn more about free pregnancy services, contact Alabama Pregnancy Test Center today to schedule a confidential appointment.
Parenting
Depending on your circumstances, parenting may seem impossible right now. Maybe you’re still in school, don’t have your partner or family’s support, or are worried about being a good parent. But it’s important to know that no matter your current situation, circumstances change. What seems hopeless right now can be brighter tomorrow or in the months and years to come.
If you have a heart to parent, don’t let your circumstances stop you from choosing this option. Many women in your shoes have chosen to parent and found it to be the most rewarding decision they could have made.
When thinking about whether parenting is right for you, it can help to ask yourself the following questions:
- What is my biggest concern when it comes to the idea of parenting?
- What might my life look like if I choose to parent?
- Who can I talk to about parenting? (If you don’t have anyone in your life, we’re always here and offer free, medically accurate information about your options).
Adoption
What comes to your mind when you think about adoption? Many women might imagine leaving a child on someone’s doorstep, like what’s often depicted in older films. However, this is far from what happens today!
Adoption is a choice that’s full of options, and you have control over what you want to happen. Most adoptions today are open, which means that you get to choose the adoptive family and how often, or little, you want to communicate with them and the child.
However, if you don’t want to communicate with the adoptive family or if you want communication to be mediated by a third party, those are choices you can make as well.
Abortion
Your only second-trimester abortion option is surgical abortion. This involves going into a clinic and having your cervix dilated so that medical instruments can enter your uterus. Then, strong suction and scraping tools will terminate and remove the pregnancy.
Surgical abortion comes with risks to your health, which can include:
- Uterine perforation (which is when a medical instrument pokes a hole in your uterus)
- Uterine scarring (which can cause painful periods and future infertility)
- Cervical damage
- Infection
Since you will need to travel out of state to seek a surgical abortion, you will need to factor in travel time and costs in addition to the cost of the abortion itself.
You’re Not Alone
Being in your second trimester of pregnancy can make it seem like you need to rush to make a decision. But it’s critical to ensure that you know all you can about your options before making a decision.
You’re not alone as you navigate your options. At Alabama Pregnancy Test Center, we’re here for you. Come talk to us today to learn more about your choices and discover free resources and services that are here to support you.