How can I decide about an abortion

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Your decision to have an abortion will often depend on whether safe abortion is available where you live. It also depends on how an abortion or a baby would affect your life.

It may help to think about these questions:

• Will you be able to care for a baby? Do you have enough money to raise a child?
• Is pregnancy a danger to your health?
• Do you have a partner or husband who will help support a child? Can you talk with him about this decision?
• Is your religion or family against abortion? If yes, how will you feel if you have one?
• How will the abortion be done?
• For how long have you been pregnant?
• Could you have a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or HIV? You may be at more risk of having an STI if you are young, single, and have a new partner, or if you have signs of an STI. If you feel that you are at risk, you may need treatment before the abortion.
• What complications (problems) can be caused by the abortion? If you have HIV or AIDS, the dangers of an unsafe abortion could be increased.
• Where can you go for emergency care if you have complications? How will you get there?

If safe abortion is not available, you might also consider giving the baby up for adoption, if this is acceptable to you and your community.

Sources

• Burns, A. A., Niemann, S., Lovich, R., Maxwell, J., & Shapiro, K. (2014). Where women have no doctor: A health guide for women. Hesperian Foundation.
• Audiopedia ID: en020207