If you think you might be pregnant, you may have a lot of thoughts going through your head. What does the recent Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade mean for your pregnancy options and women’s rights in Pennsylvania?
As a first step, take a deep breath—you are not alone in this. Support and help are available to you. Take the time to find out the answers to all you need to know about your pregnancy options in Pennsylvania.
Table of Contents
Is Abortion Still Available in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Under Pennsylvania state law, abortion is legal for any reason up until the point of viability at 24 weeks. After this point, abortion is not permitted. If you are a minor, parental consent or notification is required before abortion.
Because this abortion availability is confirmed within state law, abortion is still a pregnancy option in Pennsylvania. This includes both the abortion pill (otherwise known as medication abortion, chemical abortion, DIY abortion, or self-managed abortion) and surgical abortion. Which abortion method is best for each unique pregnancy situation depends on the answers to several questions, including:
- how far along the pregnancy is, and
- if other medical complications are a concern.
Before you make your next medical steps, you should find out all you can about your unique situation so you can know what methods of abortion would be available to you, and what costs and risks are associated with each method.
Before Abortion, What Do I Need to Know?
There are a few things you should know about each method of abortion before taking your next medical steps.
First is the abortion pill – the FDA approves the use of Mifeprex for the termination of early pregnancies up to 10 weeks. It is important to note that taking the abortion pill past this point in pregnancy could result in incomplete abortion or other medical complications, so it’s important to be sure of how far along you are before pursuing medication abortion.
The Mayo Clinic lists the following as physical risks of the abortion pill:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- An ongoing unwanted pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
For the termination of pregnancies past 10 weeks (and up until 24 weeks in Pennsylvania), an in-clinic procedure known as surgical abortion would be necessary. A common method of surgical abortion is known as dilation & curettage. In this procedure, a physician uses medical instruments to scrape or lightly suction the fetus and remaining tissue from the uterus.
Because surgical abortion is in-clinic, it typically involves sedation and carries a longer, more serious list of risks, as do many surgical procedures. Note that this method of abortion also has a higher financial cost than the abortion pill. According to the Mayo Clinic, the following are potential physical risks of surgical abortion:
- Passing blood clots that are larger than a lemon for more than two hours
- Bleeding that is heavy enough that you have to change your pad twice in one hour for two hours straight
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Fever
- Pain or cramping that gets worse instead of better, especially after 48 hours
- Pregnancy symptoms that persist after one week
It’s important that you know everything there is to know about your unique medical situation so that you can be fully informed about your next steps.
Why Do I Need to Get an Ultrasound?
There are a few questions you need answered to determine what options are best for your health and safety. An ultrasound exam can answer important questions about your unique situation, such as:
- How far along you are (and what pregnancy options are available)
- If the pregnancy is viable (or if miscarriage care is likely for your situation or has already occurred)
- If the pregnancy is located in the uterus (or if you are at risk of ectopic pregnancy)
In order to put your health and safety first, you need to know the answers to these questions and to see a medical professional in-person. For example, if you may be facing an ectopic pregnancy, immediate medical attention is necessary (as this cannot be resolved with abortion treatment), and delay in treatment for this condition could be dangerous.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
Protect your health and safety today by scheduling your appointment to find out everything you need to know about your unique pregnancy situation.
At A Woman’s Concern, we’re here to help you explore your pregnancy options and provide an ultrasound—all at no cost to you.
Call 717-394-1561 to schedule an appointment today!
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This information is presented as an informational tool only. It is not intended to replace medical advice or care from a qualified medical provider.
Sources:
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/mifeprex-mifepristone-information
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/medical-abortion/about/pac-20394687
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/dilation-and-curettage/about/pac-20384910
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20372093
