If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy, abortion may feel like your only option. However, making an informed choice requires understanding the dos and don’ts of the abortion process.
These guidelines are here to help ensure your safety and well-being throughout the process. At CAPS, we’re committed to providing the facts you need to make an informed choice. Here’s what you need to know before considering an abortion.
Things to Do Before Choosing Abortion:
1. Confirm Your Pregnancy with an Ultrasound
One of the most important steps before considering abortion is confirming your pregnancy with an ultrasound.
Ultrasounds provide the insight needed to make an informed and empowered decision for an unplanned pregnancy. They determine two key things about your pregnancy: viability and gestational age.
Viability
It’s crucial to know if your pregnancy is viable because many pregnancies naturally end in miscarriage.[1]
The ultrasound also can show if the pregnancy is inside the uterus. A small number of pregnancies form outside the uterus, known as ectopic pregnancy. This is a life-threatening medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.
Miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies are not treated by abortion. If your ultrasound determines your pregnancy is not viable, abortion is no longer an option to consider.
Gestational Age
Knowing your gestational age (how far along you are) is essential, as the abortion pill is not an option past 10 weeks of pregnancy.[2] Currently, abortion is legal up until viability in California.[3] Viability refers to the point in pregnancy when a fetus is developed enough to survive outside the womb with medical help. Viability occurs at approximately 24 weeks of pregnancy.[4]
Contact CAPS to schedule a free limited ultrasound today and take the first step toward clarity.
2. Consult a Medical Provider
Before deciding on abortion, consult with a qualified healthcare provider.
A doctor can assess your health for conditions that might complicate an abortion, such as ectopic pregnancy, drug allergies, blood disorders, an IUD, or other issues.[5] This consultation helps you avoid preventable abortion complications.
3. Get Tested for STIs
Before considering abortion, it’s crucial to get tested for STIs.
Having an untreated STI (like chlamydia) during an abortion can increase the risk of complications like Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), which may lead to infertility.[6]
CAPS provides confidential STI testing and treatment, so you can protect your health! Schedule an appointment today.
4. Understand Your Abortion Options
To make an informed decision, it’s important to understand the two primary methods of abortion:
- Abortion Pill: The abortion pill is FDA-approved up to 10 weeks of pregnancy. This involves taking mifepristone and misoprostol to end the pregnancy.
- Surgical Abortion: Performed in a clinic, usually after 10 weeks, with techniques varying by gestational age and state laws.
If you decide that you are not comfortable with either procedure, you may want to consider other pregnancy options.
5. Understand the Potential Risks and Complications
A crucial part of the decision-making process is learning about potential risks of abortion.
- Abortion Pill Risks: For the abortion pill, risks include prolonged bleeding, infection, allergic reactions, or an incomplete abortion requiring follow-up care.
- Surgical Abortion Risks: For surgical abortion, risks involve bleeding, infection, pain, incomplete abortion, or rare issues like uterine perforation.[7] Repeated procedures may also cause scarring, potentially affecting future fertility.[8]
Ask your provider to explain these risks in detail so you’re fully prepared.
6. Plan for Recovery
Planning for recovery after abortion is an essential part of the process that should not be overlooked.
After the abortion pill, expect strong cramping and bleeding for a few days, possibly up to four weeks.[9] Surgical abortion recovery typically involves light bleeding for one to two weeks. Arrange time to rest and heal—your body needs it.
7. Explore All Your Pregnancy Options
The final step is to explore all your options. To make a truly informed decision, you need all the facts about parenting, adoption, and abortion.
Call (619) 337-8080 for a free appointment with our compassionate staff to discuss your options.
Things Not to Do Before An Abortion:
1. Don’t Proceed with Abortion Without an Ultrasound
Don’t proceed with an abortion without an ultrasound. Without it, you risk missing a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, which could be life-threatening if untreated. Protect your health by confirming the details first.
2. Don’t Buy Abortion Pills Online or from Unapproved Sources
Never buy abortion pills from unverified online pharmacies. These sources may sell counterfeit, expired, or ineffective drugs, putting your health at risk.[10]
3. Don’t Ignore Medication and Substance Warnings
Avoid drugs and alcohol before and after an abortion. These substances can interfere with the abortion process or exacerbate side effects. Always consult your provider about what to avoid before proceeding.
4. Don’t Schedule Plans Right After
Resist the urge to jump back into your routine. Recovery times vary, and you’ll need time to rest. Cancel plans and prioritize your healing.
5. Don’t Go Through It Alone
Don’t go through this alone. Reach out to healthcare providers and a support system for guidance and comfort. We’re here to help—call (619) 337-8080 for compassionate care.
Considering Abortion in San Diego, California? Get the Facts First with CAPS.
Knowing what to do before choosing abortion can feel overwhelming, especially with so much information out there. At CAPS, we simplify the process by offering clear, factual guidance about your pregnancy and options.
Give us a call at (619) 337-8080 or schedule an appointment online today. All services are confidential and free of charge.
Please note that CAPS does not provide or refer for abortion services.
Sources
- Mayo Clinic. (2023, September 8). Miscarriage – Symptoms and Causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pregnancy-loss-miscarriage/symptoms-causes/syc-20354298
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. (2025, January 17). Mifeprex (Mifepristone). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/mifeprex-mifepristone-information
- Proclamation on Reproductive Freedom. (2019, May 31). https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Proclamation-on-Reproductive-Freedom.pdf
- Breborowicz, G. (2001, January). Limits of fetal viability and its enhancement. U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11753511/
- FDA. (2025, February 11). Questions and Answers on Mifepristone for Medical Termination of Pregnancy Through Ten Weeks Gestation. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/questions-and-answers-mifepristone-medical-termination-pregnancy-through-ten-weeks-gestation
- Mayo Clinic. (2022, April 30). Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20352594
- Yvonne Butler Tobah. (2022, August 4). Could an Elective Abortion Increase the Risk of Problems in a Subsequent Pregnancy? https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/expert-answers/abortion/faq-20058551
- Cleveland Clinic. (2022, January 8). Asherman’s Syndrome. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16561-ashermans-syndrome
- U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2023, January 1). Abortion – procedure – aftercare. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000658.htm
- See source #5.