After learning of an unexpected pregnancy, the uncertainty surrounding your future can feel incredibly overwhelming. You and your partner may feel abortion is the best option and be wondering about the logistics, like the cost of terminating.
In most cases, insurance companies will not pay for your girlfriend’s abortion unless you are legally married. Continue reading to learn more about what’s next and what your partner may face with a medical or surgical abortion.
Medical Abortion and Risks
Medical abortion, also known as the abortion pill, uses two drugs to terminate a pregnancy.
Mifepristone causes the uterine lining to thin by blocking progesterone, which leads to the detachment of the pregnancy. Then, misoprostol is used to contract and expel the pregnancy through the vagina.
According to the FDA, after 10 weeks of gestation, women are ineligible for a medical abortion. Physical health risks of medical abortion include:
- Incomplete abortion
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Diarrhea and digestive upset
Surgical Abortion and Risks
Surgical abortion is a procedure that terminates a pregnancy by manually dilating the cervix and suctioning/scraping the pregnancy tissue from the inside of the uterus.
Surgical abortion is most often the primary method of termination, beginning in the second trimester. Physical health risks of surgical abortion include:
- Perforation of the uterus
- Tearing of the cervix
- Formation of uterine scar tissues, which may lead to infertility
- Infection
Protect Your Partner’s Health
In addition to your insurance not likely covering your partner’s abortion costs, it’s important to protect your partner’s health with an ultrasound scan. Be sure to also meet with a healthcare provider before choosing to terminate a pregnancy.
An ultrasound can provide guidance if your partner has miscarried, confirm the age of the pregnancy, and detect any possible complications like ectopic pregnancies.
Additionally, a woman should discuss her health history with a healthcare provider to ensure she doesn’t have any health conditions that would increase her risk of abortion complications.
Get Help Today
If you just found out about your partner’s pregnancy and are unsure what to do, HopePlace Monticello is here to help. We offer free lab-quality pregnancy tests and ultrasound referrals, and our trusted staff can answer your and your partner’s questions and discuss the options.
Additionally, we provide mentors for men who can help you navigate your partner’s unplanned pregnancy. Contact us today to make a confidential appointment.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.