Expert: Diane Cheryl - 12/22/2008

Question
OK i don't know how far along i am.. Because i just had a baby and really didn't have a regular period. But i do know i am pregnant. My last period was at the end of October.. so i estimated i am about 6-7 weeks pregnant. Do you think that is accurate 6-7 weeks.. Okay i want to know my options on what type of abortions i can get and how the procedure is done and how much it cost.

Answer
Hello Crystal,

I'm not a doctor and I can't advise for abortions. I would recommend to call or go to the website for the pregnancy resource center.
http://www.optionline.org or call 1-800-395-HELP. Actually, before you even do that, I would urge you to join the unplanned pregnancy group. That way you can talk to other women who have been in much the same situation as you are. To join in there, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unplanned_pregnancy_help/
Hope to see you there. Also, I will be on vacation from allexperts for a few days so I would love for you to email me privately.
DCHERYL51@yahoo.com and put ALLEXPERTS in the subject line. Hope to hear from you soon :)
Oh, I forgot to answer some of your questions. There are 2 types that you would be eligible for: this is from the optionline site

Manual Vacuum Aspiration: up to 7 weeks after last menstrual period  (LMP)
This surgical abortion is done early in the pregnancy up until 7 weeks after the woman's last menstrual period. A long, thin tube is inserted into the uterus. A large syringe is attached to the tube and the embryo is suctioned out.

Suction Curettage:  between 6 to 14 weeks after LMP
This is the most common surgical abortion procedure.  Because the baby is larger, the doctor must first stretch open the cervix using metal rods. Opening the cervix may be painful, so local or general anesthesia is typically needed. After the cervix is stretched open, the doctor inserts a hard plastic tube into the uterus, then connects this tube to a suction machine.  The suction pulls the fetus' body apart and out of the uterus. The doctor may also use a loop-shaped knife called a curette to scrape the fetus and fetal parts out of the uterus.  (The doctor may refer to the fetus and fetal parts as the “products of conception.”).

Price would vary from state to state. Thanks for your question and hope this helps.



Diane Cheryl