If you are considering abortion, you may have a lot of questions. With so many changes to abortion laws nationwide and in Ohio, it can be confusing and difficult to determine what options are available to you. We can help you sift through the information and find the answers you need.
Can I Get an Abortion in Ohio?
When the Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade last year, there was speculation that abortion would be illegal nationwide. This is not the case. Currently, abortion in Ohio is legal through 22 weeks of pregnancy. Legislation that previously banned abortion in Ohio once a heartbeat was detected is being challenged in court and is therefore, no longer in place.
What Are the Types of Abortion?
There are two main types of abortion: chemical and surgical. The method an abortion provider uses depends on how far along you are in your pregnancy.
Chemical (aka the abortion pill method)
A chemical abortion uses two drugs to terminate and remove a pregnancy from a woman’s body. The FDA has approved this method for up to 10 weeks of pregnancy (70 days or less since the first day of a patient’s last menstrual period). The Mayo Clinic recommends not having a chemical abortion past nine weeks.
If you use the abortion pill method past the approved time, it reduces its effectiveness. It increases the risk of an incomplete abortion, resulting in an ongoing pregnancy and the need to have a surgical procedure.
Surgical
A pregnancy past nine or ten weeks and up to 22 weeks sometimes requires a surgical abortion. How far along you are in your pregnancy determines the type of surgical abortion you have. It can range anywhere from Vacuum (aka Suction) Aspiration to medical tools such as a curette for scraping the uterus lining and forceps to remove larger pieces of the pregnancy.
How Do I Find Out How Far Along I Am?
As you can see, knowing how far along you are in your pregnancy is critical to determining the method of abortion used. Many women do not watch their monthly menstrual cycles closely, and research has concluded that period tracker apps have difficulty judging when a woman is most fertile during the month. So, it’s difficult to tell how long you’ve been pregnant.
An ultrasound scan is the best method for determining how far along you are. A limited ultrasound reveals the gestational age, the location of the pregnancy, and if it’s viable. A viable pregnancy means it is developing with a detectable heartbeat.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) estimates that as many as 26% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage, making an ultrasound even more essential prior to undergoing any type of abortion procedure. You can learn if your pregnancy is growing or if you have had a miscarriage.
Where Can I Get a No-Cost Ultrasound?
By scheduling a no-cost, confidential appointment at Ivy Women’s Center, you can receive a pregnancy test and a limited ultrasound scan, both administered by a licensed medical professional, free of charge.
Deciding what to do about your pregnancy is your decision and one that should be made with complete and accurate information. Be prepared with information. Be empowered with knowledge. Be confident with understanding. Call or text 440-539-0206, or fill out our online form to message us. We’re here for you.