Facing an unexpected pregnancy can feel overwhelming. Abortion may seem like a quick solution, but it’s a deeply personal choice with potential long-term impacts on your health, emotions, and future.
This article outlines critical steps to help you make an informed decision if you’re considering abortion. Keep reading to learn more.
Why Your Decision Matters
An unexpected pregnancy is a life-changing event, no matter what you choose. Many women come to us with questions about their relationships, health, and how their decision will impact their future.
It’s normal to experience mixed emotions like fear, confusion, or pressure. Slowing down and gathering accurate information helps ensure your choice aligns with your values and well-being.
Step 1: Receive an Ultrasound
Get a medical-grade ultrasound before any abortion decision. This verifies viability, gestational age, and location.
How Far Along Am I?
Gestational age affects options and risks. The abortion pill (mifepristone and misoprostol) is FDA-approved only up to 10 weeks from your last menstrual period.[1] Procedures beyond this point carry higher risks and costs. In Minnesota, you can legally get the abortion pills online from a certified pharmacy after an abortion provider in Minnesota has prescribed them to you. [2]
Miscarriage and Ectopic Pregnancy
Up to 10-20% of known pregnancies end naturally in miscarriage. An ultrasound detects this early.[3]
Ectopic pregnancies (about 1-2% of cases) occur outside the uterus and can be life-threatening if untreated. The abortion pill does not resolve ectopics and may mask symptoms, delaying care.[4]
If an ultrasound reveals miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, abortion no longer applies. Pregnancy Resource Center + Medical Clinic offers free limited ultrasounds to eligible clients. Contact us today to qualify and get answers.
Step 2: Get Tested for STDs
Test for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) before considering abortion.
Untreated STIs like chlamydia or gonorrhea during abortion raise risks of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID causes scarring that can lead to chronic pain, infertility, or ectopic pregnancies in the future.[5]
A quick, confidential test protects your reproductive health. At Pregnancy Resource Center + Medical Clinic, we provide free STI testing for common infections.
Step 3: Explore All Your Options
The best way to make an informed decision is to explore all of your options: abortion, adoption, and parenting. Each option impacts your emotional, physical, and financial future differently. Pregnancy Resource Center + Medical Clinic provides nonjudgmental counseling to discuss what works for your life.
Step 4: Get Advice from Someone You Trust
Seek input from a trusted friend, family member, or someone who’s faced an unplanned pregnancy.
Real experiences offer practical insights without pressure.
If sharing feels unsafe with friends or family, our compassionate advocates at Pregnancy Resource Center + Medical Clinic listen confidentially, answer questions, and share unbiased information.
Step 5: Think About Your Future
Consider how this decision aligns with your dreams—career, education, relationships, or stability.
Ask yourself:
- Does this choice support my long-term health and happiness?
- What physical or emotional effects might arise?
- Who will support me moving forward?
Journal, pray, or talk it through. Avoid rushing out of fear or from external pressure.
Considering Abortion in St Cloud and Waite Park, Minnesota? Get Support at Pregnancy Resource Center + Medical Clinic.
We’re here for you with free services including pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, STI testing/treatment, and options counseling in a safe, confidential space.
No judgment—just personalized guidance to help you decide what’s best.
Call 320-253-1962 or schedule online today.
Please be aware that Pregnancy Resource Center + Medical Clinic does not provide or refer for abortion services.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- How far along can I be to consider the abortion pill?
The abortion pill is FDA-approved up to 10 weeks from your last menstrual period. An ultrasound confirms the exact gestational age.
- Is it possible I’m already miscarrying?
Yes—10-20% of known pregnancies end in natural miscarriage. If you suspect a miscarriage, speak to a healthcare professional right away.
- What if my pregnancy is ectopic?
Ectopic pregnancies are medical emergencies and cannot be treated with the abortion pill. Ultrasound is essential to rule this out and ensure your safety. If you suspect an ectopic pregnancy, go to the emergency room to receive treatment.
- Why get STI testing before considering abortion?
Untreated STIs increase risks of serious complications like PID, which can cause infertility or chronic pain. Testing and treatment protect your future health.
- What are my other options besides abortion?
You can choose parenting with available support resources or adoption, where you select a family and may maintain contact. We’re here to discuss all paths confidentially.
Sources
- 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
- Laws of Minnesota 2023, chapter 70.
- Mayo Clinic Staff. (2023, September 8). Miscarriage. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pregnancy-loss-miscarriage/symptoms-causes/syc-20354298
- FDA. (2025, February 11). Questions and Answers on Mifeprex. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/questions-and-answers-mifeprex
- Mayo Clinic. (2022, April 30). Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20352594