Choices Women's Medical Center: Abortion Services at CHOICES

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Abortion

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Abortion
History

Education
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Abortion Services at CHOICES

What is Abortion?

An abortion occurs when a pregnancy ends before birth. Spontaneous abortion, or a miscarriage, happens naturally in 15-40 percent of all pregnancies when a fetus stops developing and is expelled spontaneously by the woman's body. Induced abortion occurs when a woman chooses to end the pregnancy by medical or surgical means.

At CHOICES, we are committed to making abortion available and accessible to every woman who does not to want to continue a pregnancy for any reason.

Abortion saves women's lives

Before abortion was legal in the U.S., many women tried unsafe methods to end unintended pregnancies, and each year thousands were severely injured and hundreds died.

Today in this country, abortion is one of the safest outpatient medical procedures there is. The situation is very different in other countries where abortion is illegal or unavailable. Worldwide, 68,000 women die each year - most in developing countries - from illegal, unsafe abortions, and another 5.3 million suffer temporary or permanent disability.

Women have many reasons for choosing to end a pregnancy - and all of them are important and valid for the woman and those close to her. Becoming a mother can be wonderful, but NO woman - of any age or background - should be forced to continue an unwanted pregnancy and become a mother against her will.


Frequently asked QUESTIONS:
•	Is having an abortion safe?
		Yes. Statistically, it is nine times more dangerous to go through childbirth than to have an abortion. Surgical abortion in a licensed facility such as Choices, -more-

•	Does it hurt to have an abortion?
		Most women have general anesthesia for their abortion procedure. This means you will not feel, see or remember anything about the procedure itself. After the procedure, most women will experience some pain and discomfort similar to menstrual cramps. -more-

•	Does having an abortion cause mental problems?
		Abortion will not cause mental illness. The president-elect of the American Psychiatric Association has stated, "meticulous research shows that there is no causal relationship between abortions and mental illnesses." -more-

•	How will I feel after having an abortion?
		There is no one way to feel after having an abortion. Women experience feelings of happiness, sadness, empowerment, anxiety, grief, guilt or relief - and sometimes a combination, depending on their individual circumstances. -more-

•	Will I be able to become pregnant and give birth after having an abortion?
		There is no link between having an abortion and not being able to become pregnant and give birth when you choose to at some future time. -more-

•	Do I need permission from my parents or partner to have an abortion?
		No. There are no such restrictions in New York State. -more-

•	How is the abortion done?
		This depends on how far into the pregnancy you are. -more-

•	Will I be awake during the abortion procedure?
		You will have a choice to have either general or local anesthesia. -more-

•	How long should I plan to be at Choices?
		Although the abortion itself takes only a few minutes, you should plan to be at the Medical Center for 4-6 hours for a first trimester abortion. -more-

•	Can I bring someone with me to Choices?
		You will need someone to take you home, and it is up to you whether that person stays with you throughout the day or picks you up once you are ready to go home. -more-

•	How soon after the abortion can I return to normal activity?
		It is important to protect yourself from infection after an abortion. For two weeks after your abortion, do not have sex, use tampons, take a tub bath, douche, or go swimming. -more-

What should
I expect
during my
DAY at CHOICES?

What is a
First-Trimester
Abortion?

What is a
Second-Trimester
Abortion?

What is a
Medical
Abortion?

What is the
History
of CHOICES?

Or visit What should I expect during my DAY at CHOICES? for more information.

We at CHOICES Women's Medical Center firmly believe that in matters of pregnancy and childbearing, women and their lives must come first and women must be the ones to decide. We are committed to helping women make the best decisions for themselves and their loved ones.

CHOICES Women's Medical Center is a progressive and comprehensive healthcare facility. Our healthcare team assures that every patient receives the highest quality medical treatment in a positive, supportive and educational environment. CHOICES is committed to the concept of knowledgeable choice, and offers complete patient-centered medical care for any of your healthcare needs.

At CHOICES, we emphasize our philosophy of Patient Power, which means being an informed consumer of medical treatment with the knowledge and information that enables each individual to make appropriate decisions about medical care, whether in the area of general health, surgery or birth control.