If your pregnancy wasn’t planned, one of the hardest parts can be figuring out what your partner thinks. 

If your boyfriend is pushing you toward an abortion and you’re not sure that’s the right choice for you, please know this: you are allowed to slow down, ask questions, and make this decision for yourself.

No one can legally force you to have an abortion. That doesn’t mean the conversation with your partner won’t be hard. But it does mean you have the right to take the time you need before you decide anything.

Here’s how to have this conversation, and what information can help you make a safe and informed decision.

Having an Honest Conversation With Your Partner

It’s normal to feel scared to bring up your true feelings, especially if you sense your boyfriend has already made up his mind. A few things can help:

• Pick a calm moment, not a heated one. Try to talk when you’re both not exhausted, angry, or rushed. A five-minute conversation squeezed between other things rarely goes well for something this big.

• Use “I” statements. Instead of “You’re forcing me into this,” try “I’m not sure abortion is what I want, and I need us to talk about it more.” This keeps the conversation open instead of defensive.

• Ask him why he wants you to get an abortion. Often, a boyfriend who is pushing hard for abortion is scared — of finances, of responsibility, of what his life will look like, of what his family will think. Understanding his fear doesn’t mean you have to agree with him, but it can help the conversation feel less like a fight and more like two people trying to solve a problem together.

• Be clear about your needs. You might need time. You might need him to go with you to an appointment or counseling session. You might need him to simply listen without trying to solve everything right away. Say so directly.

• Bring in outside support. If you feel like you aren’t making progress, a counselor can help create a space where both of you feel heard.

If your boyfriend becomes threatening, controlling, or refuses to let the conversation happen on your terms, that’s a different and more serious situation. 

If you are being abused or forced to have an abortion, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). 

Abortion Affects Men, Too

Sometimes women feel like they’re carrying the entire emotional weight of this decision alone, while their partner just wants it “handled.” But abortion can affect men emotionally as well, even if it’s not talked about as often. Some men report feelings of guilt, loss, or regret afterward — especially if they pushed for a decision they later wished had gone differently, or felt they didn’t have a real say in the outcome.

This isn’t a reason to make your decision based on his feelings instead of your own. It’s simply a reminder that this decision is significant for both of you, and that rushing toward the “easiest” answer isn’t always best in the long run for either person.

Receive an Ultrasound

Before considering abortion, get the facts about your pregnancy. An ultrasound is one of the best first steps you can take. It can tell you:

Gestational Age

Gestational age refers to how far along you are in your pregnancy. Doctors measure it from the first day of your last period.

In Georgia, knowing your gestational age is crucial because current Georgia abortion law[1] prohibits abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected, typically around 6 weeks from your last period. Exceptions can be made for:

• Medical emergencies
• Rape or incest in a pregnancy less than 20 weeks from the last menstrual period
• Cases where, in reasonable medical judgment, there is an anomaly incompatible with sustaining life

Additionally, the abortion pill (mifepristone) is only FDA-approved for use up to 10 weeks gestation (or 70 days or less since the first day of your last menstrual period).[2]

Viability 

A viable pregnancy indicates that the pregnancy is progressing normally and has the potential to continue to term. During an ultrasound, technicians look for signs like a fetal heartbeat. This usually appears between 5 and 6 weeks of pregnancy.[3]

Getting an ultrasound before an abortion helps check for nonviable pregnancies. This includes miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies, where the embryo grows outside the uterus. These conditions need alternative medical care.

Options Now provides free ultrasounds to women who receive positive pregnancy tests at our center. Give us a call at (229) 506-5017 to schedule your appointment.

*Important note: Please be aware that this article is not meant to substitute for medical advice or treatment. The purpose of our limited ultrasound exams is to identify a pregnancy inside the uterus, detect the fetal heartbeat, and estimate how far along you are. If there is no detectable heartbeat, it may indicate a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy is occurring. If we cannot detect a fetal heartbeat during your appointment, we will provide appropriate referrals for follow-up care and treatment.

Understand the Risks of Abortion

If you’re being pressured toward abortion, it’s worth understanding the side effects and risks before you agree to anything.

The Abortion Pill

Common side effects of the abortion pill include[4]:

• Bleeding that can last up to a month
• Headaches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea and digestive pain
• Chills
• Fever
• Abdominal cramping (caused by the misoprostol)
  

Severe side effects and complications (seek medical attention immediately):

• Allergic reaction (anaphylactic shock)[5]
• Hemorrhaging (excessive bleeding)[6]
• Incomplete abortion (remaining pregnancy tissue)[7]
• Infection (fever lasting more than 24 hours)[4]

Surgical Abortion (In-Clinic Abortion)

It’s important to note that surgical abortion becomes increasingly risky the further along you are. Potential risks include:

• Uterine Perforation: An instrument may accidentally puncture the uterus, possibly needing surgical repair.[8]

• Asherman Syndrome: Scar tissue inside the uterus from repeated procedures can impact future fertility.[9]

• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): Bacteria introduced during surgery may cause infection in the reproductive tract.[10]

Abortion Affects Mental Health 

Research shows that abortion can have a negative impact on mental health. After their abortions, some women have reported experiencing:[11][12]

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Low self-esteem
• Substance abuse
• Suicidal behaviors

If you’re thinking about suicide, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 right away.

None of this is meant to scare you. It’s meant to give you all the information needed to make a fully informed decision — not just because someone else told you it was the “easy” or “only” option.

Understand the Cost

Abortion is often talked about as the free or simple option, but it isn’t always either. Abortion costs can vary widely based on the type of procedure, how far along you are in your pregnancy, and the state in which you receive the procedure.

Abortion Information in Valdosta, Georgia

Your decision should be made with accurate information, time to think, and support around you, not one made under pressure from fear or an ultimatum. A good partner, even one who’s scared, should be willing to walk through this with you rather than push you toward a choice you’re not sure about.

If you’re feeling pressured right now, please know that free, confidential support is available. Options Now exists to help women in your situation get real answers, real options, and real support — no judgment, no pressure, just information and care.

Give us a call at (229) 506-5017 to schedule your appointment today. 

*Important Note: Please be aware that Options Now does not provide or refer for abortion services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my boyfriend legally force me to get an abortion? 

No. Abortion requires your consent. No partner, parent, or anyone else can legally require you to terminate a pregnancy against your will. 

If you are being threatened, controlled, or coerced, support services (including domestic violence advocates) can help you navigate that safely.

What if I’m not sure what I want yet? 

That’s completely normal. You don’t have to decide everything in one conversation. Getting an ultrasound, talking with a counselor, and giving yourself even a few days to think can make a big difference in how confident you feel about whatever you decide.

Is it too late to talk to someone if I already scheduled an abortion? 

No. It’s not too late to pause and get more information, even if an appointment is already on the calendar. 

Options Now offers free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, and pregnancy options education to help you understand your options and timeline before you move forward with anything.

Sources

1. 1. Georgia General Assembly. (2019, May 7). House Bill 481. https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20192020/187013 
   2. Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. (2025, January 17). Mifeprex (Mifepristone). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/mifeprex-mifepristone-information
   3. Cleveland Clinic. (2023, March 3). Fetal Development. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/7247-fetal-development-stages-of-growth
   4. U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2026, February 15). Mifepristone (Mifeprex). MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a600042.html
   5. Shin, Hyun Joo, et al. “Anaphylactic Shock to Vaginal Misoprostol: A Rare Adverse Reaction to a Frequently Used Drug.” PubMed Central (PMC), 9 Aug. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6137020
   6. FDA. (2019, July). Prescribing Information for Mifeprex. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/022348s014lbl.pdf
   7. Mayo Clinic. (2022, July 29). Medical Abortion. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/medical-abortion/about/pac-20394687
   8. U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2024, April 5). Abortion – Surgical. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002912.htm
   9. Mayo Clinic. (2024, July 6). Elective Abortion: Does it Affect Subsequent Pregnancies? https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/expert-answers/abortion/faq-20058551
   10. Mayo Clinic. (2022, April 30). Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20352594
   11. Fergusson, D. M., Horwood, L. J., & Ridder, E. M. (2005, September 22). Abortion in young women and subsequent mental health. Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health. https://acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1469-7610.2005.01538.x
   12. Coleman, PK. Abortion and mental health: quantitative synthesis and analysis of research published 1995–2009. British Journal of Psychiatry. 2011;199(3):180-186. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21881096/

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