Information
Frequently Asked Questions About
Pregnancy and Abortion
Below are the answers to some common questions about abortion and pregnancy:
- What are the signs of pregnancy?
- How fast does a fetus develop?
- Are abortions safe?
- Why am I not happy after having my abortion?
- Why would I even consider adoption?
- I’m a guy. What about my choices?
- Some common symptoms of early pregnancy include a missed period, nausea, breast tenderness, frequent urination, feeling tired and mood swings. Every woman and every pregnancy are different, so you may or may not experience common signs of pregnancy.
How fast does a fetus develop?
- The rapid and unique development of a child may surprise you. By day 21, the heart is beating. A week later the backbone and muscles are forming. Arms, legs, eyes and ears have begun to show. By day 35, all five fingers can be discerned in the hand. The eyes darken as pigment is produced. Brain waves can be detected and recorded by day 40. In the seventh week, the embryo begins to move spontaneously. The jaw forms, including teeth buds in the gums.
- In week 8, everything is now present that will be found in a fully developed adult. The heart has been beating for more than a month, the stomach produces digestive juices and the kidneys have begun to function. A week later, fingerprints are already evident in the skin. By the 10th week, the fetus can squint, swallow and wrinkle its forehead. In just the 12th week of pregnancy, the fetus is turning its head, curling its toes and opening and closing its mouth.
Are abortions safe?
- Abortion is not just a simple medical procedure. For many women, it is a life-changing event with significant physical, emotional and spiritual consequences.
Some side effects may occur with induced (elective) abortion. These include abdominal pain and cramping, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Complications may happen in as many as 1 out of every 100 early abortions and in about 1 out of every 50 later-term abortions
What are the signs of pregnancy?
-
What are some abortion-related health complications?
- Physical complications include heavy bleeding, infection, incomplete abortion, tearing of the cervix, scarring of the uterine lining, damage to internal organs and increased risk of miscarriage.
-
I am feeling pressured to have an abortion. What do I do?
- Remember, no one can force you to have an abortion against your will, even as a minor. If you are being told that you have to abortion, please give us a call!
-
Why am I not happy after having my abortion?
- You are not alone. Many women experience strong negative emotions after abortion. Sometimes this occurs within days and sometimes it happens after many years. This psychological response is known as Post-Abortion Stress (PAS). Read more about Abortion’s Impact on Women.
-
Will abortion affect me spiritually?
- Having an abortion affects more than just your body and your mind. Find out how abortion has affected others spiritually.
-
I think I’m pregnant. What do I do? Where should I go?
- Facing an unplanned pregnancy can seem overwhelming. That is why knowing where to go for help is important. Talk to someone you can trust. The staff and volunteers at First Concern are available and trained to help you through this difficult time.
-
Why would I even consider adoption?
- When you’re faced with an unplanned pregnancy, you actually have 3 choices: Abortion, Parenting and Adoption. If you’re thinking that you won’t be able to raise your child, you might also be thinking that abortion is the only choice you have. Most people know very little about adoption. They don’t realize that adoption has changed tremendously in the past several years. They often don’t know that there are 2 kinds of adoption: CONFIDENTIAL (also called "closed") and OPEN (which include a range of openness). It might be a good idea to get more information and explore adoption before making a final decision.
-
I’m a guy. What about my choices?
- Your opinion counts! It really does! So don't make a decision out of fear or uncertainty that alters her life and yours forever. Get the information you need to make an informed decision about her pregnancy.
If you decide that abortion is not the choice for you, you’ll then have many months to check out adoption and decide if that choice might be right for you.
If you think you might be pregnant and you're not sure what to do, First Concern Pregnancy Resource Center can help. We offer pregnancy tests with immediate results and information about your choices. It’s important to take time to understand them.
Call us today to set up an appointment to talk or do a pregnancy test: call toll free 1(888) 657-1773.
