How To Stop Pregnancy
Tips on How to Stop Pregnancy
Pregnancy, when planned, can be a wonderful and memorable period in a couple’s life; however, those who have not planned on having a child may want some information on how to stop pregnancy. Whether a couple has had unprotected sex and fear they may become pregnant or if they have already tested positive for a pregnancy test, there are options available that can be used to prevent a pregnancy or abort an existing pregnancy. Read on to learn the legal ways of how to stop a pregnancy.
In the United States, there are two legal options for terminating a pregnancy. The first option we are going to talk about is the abortion pill, commonly referred to as the “morning after pill”. This is a form or abortion that does not require a clinical procedure. The abortion pill, or mifepristone, is an effective and safe pill that can be used 63 days after the first day of a woman’s last period, or a pregnancy that is less than nine weeks along. This pill can be acquired at many Planned Parenthood clinics generally costs anywhere from $350 to $650, depending on where you live. Anyone considering the abortion pill should first discuss the option with their doctor.
The other method of abortion is the in-clinic procedure. This is the only other remaining procedure legally approved to terminate pregnancy after nine weeks. Bear in mind that abortions are usually only performed up to 24 weeks into the pregnancy unless the woman’s health is in serious jeopardy. The most common form of this procedure is called the aspiration abortion, in which the patient is sedated and given a numbing injection near the cervix. The opening of the cervix will be dilated, or stretched, and a suction tube is inserted into the uterus. The vacuum-like suction gently empties the uterus. This procedure costs anywhere from $350 to $900 when performed during the first trimester, and can be performed at most Planned Parenthood clinics.
Abortions are more common than most people realize. According to statistics, one in every three women will have had an abortion by the age of 45. Sometimes a couple simply cannot support a child at the present time or are at a critical juncture in their lives in which raising a child would be unfeasible. There are many personal reasons for deciding not to proceed with a pregnancy; however the option to abort should not be relied upon as a regular means to avoid pregnancy. There are many forms of birth control available that range from short term to long term. Condoms, diaphragms, and contraceptive sponges are a few one-time usage methods that are cheap and easy to use. For females who wish for a bit more freedom and long-term effect, there are implantable rods as well as hormonal birth control pills, patches, injections, and vaginal rings. Some of the latter methods are usually a bit more expensive to implement, but many people can receive aid through state-run family planning programs.
The “morning after pill” is an emergency contraceptive pill that provides about 75% effectiveness at preventing pregnancy. It is only effective when taken up to 72 hours after sex. The sooner it is taken after sex, the more likely it is to be effective. This pill works to prevent ovulation, which stops fertilization from occurring. It is not technically classed as a form of abortion because it is not used to terminate an existing pregnancy but rather it prevents the pregnancy from occurring at all.
Remember that while many methods of birth control are highly effective—especially the hormonal methods—no form of contraception is 100% effective unless a surgical procedure such as a hysterectomy has been performed. Even a vasectomy runs the risk of the tube reconnecting after time. If you aren’t sure which method of contraception is right for your body and your lifestyle, visit your doctor or a Planned Parenthood clinic to discuss your options more thoroughly.