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Do you think that you might be pregnant? Facing an unplanned pregnancy is not easy. Our trained consultants are available to take your calls and e-mails at answers@optionline.org 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They will listen to your needs, and connect you to the Beaufort Women’s Center, which offers free pregnancy tests, consultations about all pregnancy options, and many other confidential services.
Understand Your Pregnancy
During pregnancy, your body goes through many changes. Some common symptoms of early pregnancy include a missed period, nausea, breast tenderness, frequent urination, tiredness, and mood swings. Centers listed on this site can discuss symptoms with you.
Most pregnancy tests are very reliable. However, to confirm that you are pregnant, a visit to an appropriate health care provider will be necessary. Most centers listed on this site provide this service for free.
Your doctor may request an ultrasound exam to confirm the status of your pregnancy. This information is important whether you are considering abortion or continuing your pregnancy. Some of the centers listed on this site provide this service for free.
The following definitions and fetal development photos will help you understand more about your pregnancy.
7 weeks
8 weeks
14 weeks
5 months
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Fetal Development
Day 1:
When conception (fertilization) occurs, the baby's features, including sex, hair and eye color, have already been determined.
9 Weeks LMP:
7 weeks after conception
At this age, the baby's heart has been beating for one month and fingers and toes are developed.
10 Weeks LMP:
8 weeks after conception
At 10 weeks, the baby hiccups and reacts to loud noises.
16 Weeks LMP:
14 weeks after conception
At 16 weeks, the baby's gender can be determined by ultrasound.
22 Weeks LMP:
20 weeks after conception
At this age, the baby's eyelashes can be seen and the lungs are developing. |
Pregnancy Definitions
Cervix: The bottom opening to the uterus.
Embryo: Human life at an early development stage with its own unique DNA.
Conception: The point at which a male sperm and the female egg join and a new human embryo begins; also called fertilization.
Fetus: A developing unborn baby with an observable human structure.
Full Term Pregnancy: The stage at about 40 weeks after last menstrual period or 38 weeks after conception when the unborn baby is ready for birth.
Last Menstrual Period (LMP): The date when a woman started her last menstrual period before conception. This is the point in time from which the pregnancy and the age of the unborn baby are measured.
Trimester: An interval of three months used to measure three successive stages of pregnancy; first trimester, second trimester, and third trimester.
Uterus: The muscular female organ that contains the developing unborn baby. |
Source: Option Line |
Know Your Options
You have the legal right to choose the outcome of your pregnancy. But real empowerment comes when you find the resources and inner strength necessary to make your best choice. Here are some other options.
Parenting
Choosing to continue your pregnancy and to parent is very challenging. But with the support of caring people, parenting classes, and other resources, many women find the help they need to make this choice.
Adoption
You may decide to place your child for adoption. Each year over 50,000 women in America make this choice. This loving decision is often made by women who first thought abortion was their only way out.
Help Is Available
Facing an unexpected pregnancy can seem overwhelming. That is why knowing where to go for help is important. Talk to someone you can trust - your partner, your parents, a pastor, a priest or perhaps a good friend. Also, the caring people at your pregnancy center are available to help you through this difficult time. To find a pregnancy center near you, call 1-800-395-HELP or locally (843) 525-0300.
Note: The Beaufort Women’s Center offers peer counseling and accurate information about all pregnancy options; however, we do not offer or directly refer for abortion services.
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