You recently found out your girlfriend is pregnant and you’re wondering how to move forward and support her during this time.
In the face of an unplanned pregnancy, you have three options — parenting, adoption, and abortion. Between 10-20% of pregnancies end in miscarriage, so it is important to ensure that you have a viable pregnancy before making your decision. Pregnancy can be confirmed with a lab-grade pregnancy test and an ultrasound.
If you and your girlfriend are considering abortion, it’s essential you both take time to learn about the procedure, understand the costs you might face, and whether or not your health insurance will cover your girlfriend’s care.
Here are a few important questions to ask yourself as you learn more about abortion:
How far along is the pregnancy?
You may be wondering, “If we are terminating the pregnancy, why do we need to know the due date?”
Understanding the gestational age of your pregnancy and the potential due date plays an essential role in determining what kind of abortion your girlfriend will be eligible for.
Below are the following types of abortion, the stage of pregnancy they are effective in terminating, and the average cost for each procedure:
1. The Abortion Pill (medical abortion)
This chemical process includes taking two drugs over the span of several days. The first pill, Mifepristone, will often be taken under medical supervision and ends the pregnancy by stopping the production of progesterone. The second pill, Misoprostol, causes contractions and forces the pregnancy from the womb.
When it can be used effectively: Up to ten weeks
Average Cost: $535
2. Aspiration Abortion (first-trimester surgical abortion)
An abortion provider will use a suctioning device to pull apart the pregnancy and empty the uterus. Typically, they will then scrape the uterus to ensure there is no fetal tissue remaining.
When it can be used effectively: Typically up to 14 weeks
Average Cost: $508
3. Dilation and Evacuation (late first-term or second-term surgical abortion)
In this surgical abortion procedure, known as a D&E abortion, the doctor will use forceps to break apart the pregnancy so it can pass through the cervix. The abortion provider will then scrape the uterus to ensure there is no fetal tissue remaining.
When it can be used effectively: between the 13th and 24th weeks of pregnancy
Average Cost: $500 to $3,000+
The best way to determine the age of the pregnancy, schedule a no-cost ultrasound scan at your local pregnancy clinic. A qualified healthcare professional will explain the results and discuss your options with you and your girlfriend.
Will my health insurance cover my girlfriend’s abortion?
As you can see, abortion procedures aren’t cheap. You may be wondering, will my insurance pay for my girlfriend’s abortion?
Your health insurance provider will typically allow you to add family members, including your wife and any dependents, to your plan at an additional cost. Unfortunately, unless you are legally married, any healthcare costs your girlfriend accrues will not be covered by your plan.
In addition to the rules related to your insurance plan, it’s also important to understand the laws surrounding abortion in your state. Many states, including the state of Florida, do not allow abortion procedures to be covered under publically-funded insurance plans, and may even have restrictions on coverage under private plans.
With that said, it is likely you and your girlfriend can expect to pay for the abortion procedure and any other costs out of pocket.
Some other costs to consider when budgeting for an abortion include screenings (lab-quality pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, STD testing, and more), medications and follow-up appointments, and surgery and emergency care in case of complications.
Where can we go to find no-cost pregnancy healthcare services?
Unfortunately, expected pregnancies come with unexpected costs. Palm Beach Women’s Clinic is here to help you and your girlfriend during this challenging time by providing no-cost tests and screenings.
Schedule a medical consultation with us today to receive lab-quality pregnancy testing, ultrasound, options counseling, and referrals for other resources you and your girlfriend may need to make an informed choice for your futures.