If you’re navigating an unplanned pregnancy, it’s natural to wonder whether abortion is the only choice. Even if the pregnancy feels overwhelming, there are other possibilities—parenting or adoption—that many women also consider.
At The Pregnancy Help Center, we offer accurate, no-cost information and services so you can take the time you need to explore every option. Contact us to schedule your appointment today.
What to Know About Abortion
Abortion procedures differ depending on how far along you are in pregnancy. Each method has its own side effects and potential health risks.
A drug-induced abortion (sometimes called the abortion pill) is available only in early pregnancy. It involves two separate drugs that cause the body to end and expel the pregnancy. Along with cramping and bleeding, women may also experience side effects such as nausea, fever, diarrhea, or chills. In some cases, complications like infection, heavy bleeding, or incomplete abortion can occur.
Surgical abortion is a procedure done in a clinic. It uses suction, medical instruments, or both to remove the pregnancy from the uterus. While some women report spotting or mild cramping afterward, risks can include injury to the cervix, perforation of the uterus, infection, or the formation of scar tissue that can affect future fertility.
Before considering abortion, it’s important to confirm how far along you are and rule out concerns like ectopic pregnancy. Our center offers free pregnancy testing and limited ultrasounds to give you this critical information.
Choosing to Parent
Parenting, whether it feels like it or not in the moment, is a viable outcome for your pregnancy. While this path can initially feel overwhelming, many women find it meaningful and rewarding with the right support.
If you’re thinking about parenting, consider your current circumstances, support system, and long-term goals. At The Pregnancy Help Center, we provide parenting education, referrals to local resources, and material assistance to help you prepare.
Looking Into Adoption
Adoption allows you to carry your pregnancy to term and place your child into the care of another family. For some women, this decision brings peace of mind knowing their child is being provided for.
There are several adoption plans available, each with different levels of contact:
- Open adoption: You maintain ongoing communication with the adoptive family.
- Semi-open adoption: limited updates are shared through an adoption professional.
- Closed adoption: no identifying information is exchanged, and records remain sealed.
Adoption services are free for birth mothers, and medical expenses are typically covered. If you’d like to learn more about adoption, we can connect you with trusted agencies in California.
Taking the Next Step
This is your decision, and you don’t have to rush it. The Pregnancy Help Center in Torrance is here to walk with you, answer your questions, and provide free services that give you clarity about your health and options.
Schedule your confidential appointment today and take the first step toward understanding your choices.
Pregnancy Help Center does not provide or refer for abortions.
The medical information cited in this blog was accurate at the time of publication.
