If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and are considering abortion, you may have been advised to travel to Illinois.
Whether you are considering an abortion in Illinois for privacy reasons or because of the laws in your state, there are important factors to consider.
The first step when considering travel to Illinois for an Abortion – get an ultrasound
Before getting too far into the details of planning travel to Illinois for an abortion, it’s important to get information about your pregnancy first. No matter what decision you are considering, an ultrasound is a crucial step you should not skip.
Here’s what an ultrasound reveals and why it’s important for you to know before you schedule an abortion:
- The location of your pregnancy. If your pregnancy has implanted anywhere outside the uterus you could have an ectopic pregnancy. In this instance, you would be advised to seek immediate medical attention as this can be life threatening.
- The gestational age of your pregnancy. This is determined by measuring the dimensions of the pregnancy. If you were traveling to Illinois to pick up the abortion pill, it’s important to know the abortion pill can be dangerous to you if your pregnancy is farther along than you may think. The FDA approves of the abortion pill up to 70 days (10 weeks). Be warned that some abortion pill vendors claim the abortion pill is safe beyond the FDA’s 10-week approved range. Abortion pill risks such as uterine rupture increase the farther along you are in your pregnancy. Different abortion procedures are done at different gestational ages as well. The ultrasound provides you with an accurate gestational age so you can make the best decision for you.
- The viability of your pregnancy. If a heartbeat cannot be detected, or if the ultrasound does not show the findings that would be expected to be seen, it is recommend to follow-up with your physician. In some cases, a pregnancy that is not progressing as expected may end naturally without intervention. Appropriate follow-up care may also help avoid an unnecessary abortion procedure and protect your fertility for any future pregnancy.
At Waterleaf Women’s Center in Aurora, Illinois, our licensed medical professionals can provide you with a free ultrasound. No insurance is required.
What are the costs of traveling to Illinois for an abortion?
Traveling out of state for an abortion can be an emotionally taxing effort. It’s also important to consider the expense of travel and lodging. The costs can vary but you can expect to pay several hundred or even thousands of dollars depending on your travel distance, any hotel and food expenses, and the cost of the abortion procedure.
Additionally, you’ll want to consider the expense of the abortion. Recent statistics show that in Illinois out-of-pocket abortion pills can cost several hundred dollars, and a surgical abortion can cost over $2,000.
What Are the Risks of the Abortion Procedure?
Risks of a Surgical Abortion
According to the Mayo Clinic, the risks of surgical abortion include:
- Perforation of the uterus
- Damage to the cervix
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall
- Infection
Risks of the Abortion Pill
According to the FDA drug label, potential risks of medical abortion include:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- An ongoing unwanted pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Serious Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
Consult a medical professional prior to any abortion to see if there are any “contraindications,” like anemia or other health conditions you may have that would make an abortion especially dangerous to you.
Take the first step
If you are considering traveling to Illinois for an abortion or to obtain abortion pills, your first step is to make your ultrasound appointment and confirm your pregnancy.
At Waterleaf Women’s Center, we can provide you with a free medical consultation and ultrasound whether you are an Illinois resident or from out-of-state. No insurance required. We provide a safe environment and compassionate care so you can gather more information and ask questions about the pregnancy process. Contact us today by calling or texting confidentially at 630-360-2256 (CALM).