Three Things to Know Before Going Out of State for an Abortion

If you are pregnant and live in a state that has legal limits on abortion, then you may be considering going out of state for an abortion procedure.

But there are 3 things you should know before you start your trip out of state.

1. Confirm the Pregnancy

You’ve likely already taken an at-home pregnancy test and gotten a positive result. But did you know that even though at-home pregnancy tests are usually very accurate it is possible to get a false positive?

That’s why it’s best to confirm your pregnancy by visiting your local women’s health clinic. Using a medical-grade pregnancy test under the guidance of  trained medical staff will ensure that your pregnancy test is done properly and in a way that will give the most accurate result.

2. Details of Your Pregnancy

Once you’ve confirmed your pregnancy, it is very important to get the details of your pregnancy with an ultrasound scan.

This scan is very important because it reveals important information about your pregnancy that you will need to know before an abortion, including:

Age: The age of your pregnancy will determine what type of abortion procedure is available to you. If your pregnancy is older than 10 weeks you will not be eligible for a medical abortion and will need to have a surgical abortion.

Viability: The Mayo Clinic estimates that as many as 20% of pregnancies end in natural miscarriage. If the ultrasound scan detects that your pregnancy is not viable or that you’ve already miscarried then an abortion procedure is not necessary.

Location: The majority of pregnancies properly attach and grow in the uterus. But there is a chance that your pregnancy is an ectopic pregnancy. This condition occurs when your pregnancy begins to grow somewhere other than your uterus, such as in a fallopian tube. An ectopic pregnancy is a very serious complication that requires immediate medical intervention to protect your health. 

3. Details of the Abortion Procedure

It’s also important to understand the details of the abortion procedure before you travel so that you know what to expect, such as the medical risks and how much recovery time will be required before you can travel.

For medical abortions, the risks can include:

• Incomplete abortion–likely requiring a follow-up surgical abortion
• An ongoing unwanted pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
• Heavy and prolonged bleeding
• Infection
• Fever
• Digestive system discomfort 
• Fertility Issues
• Cramping

If a surgical abortion is required potential risks are:

• Perforation of the uterus
• Damage to the cervix
• Scar tissue on the uterine wall
• Infection
• Heavy bleeding
• Cramping
• Incomplete abortion-likely requiring another follow-up surgical abortion
• Fertility issues

Keep in mind that if you develop any of the above complications you will want to know if the clinic you are traveling to can handle the complications or where the closest medical provider is in the event that you need follow-up care.

Also remember that depending on the abortion procedure you may be given local anesthesia, so you will need someone to travel with you who is able to drive you home after the procedure.

We Can Help

Having the above information is very important in order to protect your health and future, but it can feel overwhelming to know where to start—that’s why the team at Alpha Pregnancy Care Center is here to help.

We can provide you with an in-clinic pregnancy test and follow-up ultrasound, all at no cost to you. 

Our trained medical staff will also take the time to walk you through the results of your ultrasound scan, provide information about abortion, and answer all your questions.
You’re not alone, contact us today to schedule your free and confidential appointment and get the answers you need to make the best decision for your future.