Making the decision to terminate a pregnancy is never an easy one, but it's in every woman's interest to know what her options are should she ever be put in a position to choose.
There are currently two abortion methods used in clinics: surgical treatment and medical (or pill) treatment.
Is the abortion pill right for you? Here are some ways to know.
--How pregnant are you? Your choice is mainly limited based on how far along you are in your pregnancy.
The abortion pill (actually a procedure involving taking two separate pills) is usually only administered if you are at 7 weeks (49 days) or earlier.
Some clinics will still allow the use of the abortion pill up to 9 weeks' gestation, but the efficacy of the treatment significantly decreases as time goes by.
Bottom line: if you are more than 7 weeks pregnant, a surgical abortion is your best option.
--Personal preference is also a factor.
With a medical abortion, you will take one pill on your first visit followed by a second pill several days later.
The pregnancy is therefore terminated over a period of days rather than instantly as with a surgical abortion.
For many women, the idea of terminating a pregnancy relatively slowly is too difficult.
If this process sounds like too much for you to handle emotionally, you may want to opt for a surgical abortion instead.
As long as you are less than 7 weeks pregnant, there really is no right or wrong answer to the question: is the abortion pill my best option? It's largely a matter of what "feels" right to you.
Make sure to consult with a trusted health care provider to help you decide.