Pregnancy

Pregnancy

The first symptom of pregnancy is usually a missed period. A simple urine test can determine whether or not you are pregnant. The test can be done at the Health Center anytime your period is late. Other early symptoms of pregnancy may include nausea at any time of the day or night, breast enlargement or tenderness, frequent urination and/or fatigue.

What will you do if you are pregnant?

An unintended pregnancy can be a crisis. You may be very upset and find it difficult to think clearly. Talking with someone can help. You may wish to talk with a clinician, health educator or counselor at the Health Center who can provide information about options.

What are your options?

There are two: you may continue the pregnancy or you may terminate it. With either option you should have a medical exam and lab work as soon as possible.

For further help with your decision-making you may contact:

Remember either option —to continue your pregnancy or to terminate it — requires prompt medical attention. No matter what you decide, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We will help in whatever way we can.

Option 1: Continue the pregnancy

What can you expect? What will be the result of the choice? You will experience the physical and emotional changes of pregnancy, labor and delivery, and motherhood. Many women also experience major lifestyle changes. Some of these changes are desirable, other changes are not. Beyond these generalities, predictions are difficult because you are unique and have your own special circumstances. Please see prenatal care topic for more information.

Your experience also depends upon your choice to:

You can continue with school or work during pregnancy. After delivery, you may need to make arrangements for childcare while you work or finish school. Other parents may be available to trade off baby-sitting. The baby’s father may continue to be involved and help with finances and childcare. Courts may require fathers to pay support. The Department of Family and Social Services can help with housing and financial assistance. Go to Indiana Family and Social Services for more information. Single parenting seems to work best for women who have financial resources and family support.

You then have a partner to share financial and child care responsibilities. Often a marriage was planned before the unexpected pregnancy and both the woman and man feel more ready to take the responsibility. Sometimes couples feel forced to marry. The important question is not whether you are ready to be married, but whether you are ready to be parents. This option seems to work best for those who are already in a committed relationship and who have financial resources.

Adoption is a legal process. You sign papers giving up your rights and responsibilities as a parent. The Department of Child Services, 812-336-6351, can help you plan adoption while you are pregnant. Both private and public adoption options are legal and available. The Health Center Women’s Clinic, 812-855-6203, can be contacted for more information about private adoption.

Resources

For further help with continuing an unintended pregnancy, you may contact:

Option 2: Terminate the pregnancy

What can you expect? What will be the results of this choice? The choice for abortion requires you to make some immediate decisions, but once the procedure is over, your life can remain much the same. Abortion does not interfere with your ability to become pregnant and continue a pregnancy at a later time. If a woman carefully thinks out her decision to terminate a pregnancy, it is unlikely that she will have emotional problems afterwards.

Yes, you may have an abortion in Indiana. Abortion is legal in all states in accordance with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision, January 22, 1973. The Court decided that abortion is a private decision between a woman and her doctor, and is a right guaranteed by the 14th Amendment. If you are under 18, parental notification or a judicial bypass is required in Indiana.

It is medically less dangerous to have an abortion early in pregnancy than it is to continue a pregnancy.

Only a licensed medical doctor.

The answer depends on how far along in your pregnancy you are. After you have a positive pregnancy test, you will need to have a pelvic exam to estimate the stage of your pregnancy. It is important to have the pregnancy diagnosed early because the first trimester (6-12 weeks from last menstrual period) is the safest time for the abortion procedure. Abortion is available in Bloomington as well as nearby locations such as Indianapolis and Louisville. A first trimester abortion costs between $400-$600.

Resources

For more information on abortion, please contact:

More information can also be found on the abortion topic.