Deciding about an Abor tion 243
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:
Deciding
about an
Abortion
• 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?
➤ If safe abortion
is not available,
you might consider
giving the baby up
for adoption, if this
is acceptable to you
and your community.
• How will the abortion be done? (See page 248.)
• 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, see page 263 in the STI chapter.
You may need treatment before the abortion.
261
STIs
• What complications (problems) can be caused by the
abortion? (See pages 251 to 258.) 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?
The information on the next 4 pages may help you decide
whether safe methods of abortion are available in your
community.
I will be your friend
no matter what you
decide to do.
If you are helping someone decide
about an abortion:
She needs respectful advice and
friendly support. Do not tell anyone else
about her decision unless she wants
others to know.
Where Women Have No Doctor 2012