The decision to get an abortion is one of the most terrifying and confusing dilemmas a woman can go through in her life. No matter how strong your views may be one way or the other, the decision is never actually an easy one and there is almost always a long list of doubts affecting your judgement.
If you are a woman considering pursuing a professional pregnancy termination, then there are obviously several things you will want to consider before coming to a final decision. As with anything related to your medical health, your first point of call should always be the expertise of medical professionals.
With that said, the following will explore some of the key considerations you should think about before pursuing the termination of your pregnancy.
What is your life currently like?
It’s certainly true that most women want to have their own naturally born children at some point in their life. However, many women choose to get an abortion because they do not feel like their personal life circumstances would allow them to properly raise a child.
For some women it may be simply be because they are still young themselves and do not feel mature enough to care for a baby. Others simply don’t feel ready to commit to such a huge responsibility or they don’t feel like they can financially and/or emotionally support their offspring.
If you personally don’t have the sincere feeling that you are ready to raise a child, then pursuing a pregnancy termination may be an option worth considering. You can also explore options to give the child up for adoption.
What are your personal beliefs and values regarding abortion?
While your personal circumstances are a big factor in your decision, your personal beliefs and values about abortion and the inherent value of human life may also be an important point of consideration for you. If you do not feel ready to have a child in your life but cannot reconcile your pregnancy termination with your personal beliefs, then adoption may be the best answer.
Above all, you should make sure that whatever beliefs colour your decision are yours and yours alone. You should never let any individuals or groups pressure you into making a decision you do not want to.
Abortion is a controversial issue throughout much of the world and there are naturally many strong viewpoints about what a woman in your position should do. Make sure you always act on accurate and verifiable information and not superstition or fearmongering.
Discuss your thoughts with your medical professional and your loved ones
Even though the final decision is always yours, it never hurts to get a second opinion from people you know you can trust to be honest with you. Pursuing a termination of your pregnancy is a complex medical decision and it’s prudent to talk to you doctor first before anyone else.
Your doctor should only ever give you cold hard facts about the abortion procedure and the potential effects it may have on your body. There is a great deal of misinformation out there regarding abortion and you should only ever listen to your doctor regarding the medical reality of the procedure.
It’s also a good idea to ask the people close to you in your life about what they think. They should help you to understand the choices you have but ultimately support you in whatever you choose to do.
Considering a pregnancy termination is an intense decision that is never easy no matter what. No matter what decision you make, make sure you understand it fully.