Will Colorado Hospitals Perform Abortions?
Positive pregnancy tests can cause our minds to spin. What will the future look like? Will this disrupt my plans? You may be considering abortion and wondering what Colorado abortion regulations entail. No matter what emotions you’re feeling right now, Colorado Springs Pregnancy Center can help you process them and move forward with confidence.
Whether you realize it or not, you have a number of pregnancy options, and we can help you walk through them one by one to discuss risks, benefits, and other considerations.
Colorado Abortion Restrictions and Providers
In Colorado, if you are under the age of eighteen, you will need to notify a parent of your intent to obtain an abortion. Medicaid also restricts the reasons for covering abortion to rape, incest, or specific health threats, and private insurance isn’t required to cover abortion costs.
As far as restrictions on abortion providers in Colorado, abortions can only be performed by licensed physicians using accepted medical procedures in a licensed facility. Because of this, any physician and facility that receives the proper medical licensing by the state can perform abortions, including hospitals.
However, each hospital and medical facility will differ in the types of abortion procedures they provide and how late in the pregnancy they will perform them.
Abortion Risks and Side Effects
Before seeking an abortion at a hospital or licensed facility, research the procedures and evaluate the health risks.
There are two types of abortion: medication and surgical.
Medication abortion involves taking two pills, one at the clinic, and one 24 to 48 hours later. The first pill terminates the pregnancy, and the second expels the tissue from the uterus through cramping and bleeding.
Surgical abortion is more invasive and happens in a licensed facility. It involves dilating the cervix, and then removing the fetus either through suction, or a combination of suction and curettage (D&C). Both of these procedures have serious health risks and side effects, according to Mayo Clinic.
Medication Abortion Risks
Health risks from a medical abortion can include the following:
- Incomplete abortion, which may require follow-up with a surgical abortion
- Ongoing unwanted pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
Surgical Abortion (D&C) Risks:
Health risks from a surgical abortion procedure can include the following:
- Perforation of the uterus
- Damage to the cervix
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall
- Infection
After either procedure, if you experience heavy bleeding, severe abdominal cramping or back pain, have a fever lasting more than a day, or have foul-smelling vaginal discharge, you will need to seek medical help immediately to diagnose and treat a serious infection.
Schedule an Appointment
Unexpected pregnancy is an emotionally-charged experience for every woman. As your body changes and you experience symptoms you’ve never felt before, it can lead to a lot of anxiety and fear.
Take a few deep breaths and remember it will be okay, just take it one step at a time. Our caring medical staff can help you navigate the uncertainty and provide free pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, STD testing, and additional services to assist in your pregnancy decision-making.
Contact us today to schedule your free and confidential appointment.
Medical Screening Before An Abortion
A positive result on a pregnancy test isn’t enough. Get the information you need before scheduling an abortion. We can provide this screening for you at no cost.
Pregnancy Testing
Even if you’ve taken an at-home pregnancy test, be confident you got the correct result with our free pregnancy testing service. You’ll have your test result during your appointment that day.
Ultrasounds
You need to know how far along you are in your pregnancy, if your pregnancy is viable (growing), and its location. Critical information you can only get with an ultrasound.
Medical Screening Before An Abortion
A positive result on a pregnancy test isn’t enough. Get the information you need before scheduling an abortion. We can provide this screening for you at no cost.
Pregnancy Testing
Even if you’ve taken an at-home pregnancy test, be confident you got the correct result with our free pregnancy testing service. You’ll have your test result during your appointment that day.
Ultrasounds
You need to know how far along you are in your pregnancy, if your pregnancy is viable (growing), and its location. Critical information you can only get with an ultrasound.
