When Everyone Tells You There’s Only One Solution
Maybe you’ve been searching “what are my options if I’m pregnant?” or “what happens if I don’t want to be pregnant?” late at night. Perhaps you’ve looked up “how much does abortion cost?” because it feels like that’s the only answer everyone’s giving you.
When you’re facing an unexpected pregnancy in the Twin Cities area, it can seem like everyone around you has the same advice: act fast, get an abortion, and everything will go back to normal. But here’s the thing that nobody seems to be telling you: you actually have more options than you think, and each one deserves serious consideration.
At Guiding Star Wakota in West St Paul, we believe you deserve to see the complete picture before making a decision that will affect the rest of your life. No pressure, no rush, just honest information about all your choices.
The “Quick Fix” That Isn’t Always So Simple
Abortion gets presented as the fast, easy solution to an unplanned pregnancy. The messaging makes it sound almost routine, like getting a tooth pulled. But when it comes to your body and your future, “fast” doesn’t automatically mean “harmless.”
Let’s talk about what you’re probably not hearing about abortion pills. They’re marketed as simple and effective, something you can handle privately at home. What the promotional materials often downplay is that somewhere between 7 to 10 out of every 100 women who take these pills end up needing surgery afterward. Maybe the pregnancy tissue doesn’t come out completely, or the bleeding becomes dangerous. Suddenly your “private” decision becomes a medical emergency.
Emergency rooms across Minnesota have been seeing more and more complications from abortion pills as they’ve become more popular. Women who thought they were avoiding medical procedures end up in the ER anyway, often scared and unprepared for what’s happening to their bodies.
Here’s something else that’s concerning: when you get abortion pills online or through telemedicine, you’re skipping the in-person medical exam that could catch serious problems. Ectopic pregnancy, where the baby develops outside the uterus, can be life-threatening if it’s not diagnosed. You can’t rule that out through a video call or online questionnaire.
If you’re considering your options in the Wakota area, come in for a free ultrasound at Guiding Star Wakota. Our medical staff can help you understand exactly what you’re facing and ensure your safety. Call 651.457.1195 to schedule your confidential appointment.
Surgical abortion involves dilating your cervix and removing the pregnancy tissue, and it carries its own set of risks that don’t get talked about much. Uterine injuries, damage to the cervix, and internal scarring can happen. If you want to have children in the future, multiple abortions can increase your risk of preterm birth or miscarriage later.
These aren’t scare tactics – they’re medical realities that you have a right to know about before making your decision.
What Happens to Your Heart Later
Most women do feel relief immediately after an abortion. The crisis feels solved, the pressure lifts, and life can move forward. But that’s often just the beginning of the story, not the end.
Research consistently shows that months or years down the road, women who’ve had abortions experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, problems with relationships, and sometimes turn to alcohol or drugs to cope with feelings they weren’t expecting. It’s not every woman, but it’s enough that you should know it’s possible.
One large national survey found something really striking: 60% of women said later that their abortion went against their personal values or that they felt pressured into it by other people. That’s more than half of women wishing they had made a different choice.
The long-term emotional impact often catches women off guard. Many describe feeling unprepared for the sadness, guilt, or regret that can surface months or even years later, especially around anniversaries or when they see children who would be the same age.
You don’t have to make this decision alone or under pressure. Our counselors at Guiding Star Wakota provide a safe space to talk through your feelings and concerns without anyone pushing you in any direction. We’re here to listen, not to judge.
Adoption: The Option Nobody Really Explains
When people mention adoption, it’s usually in passing, like “well, there’s always adoption” with a shrug. But modern adoption isn’t what your grandmother might have experienced. Today’s adoption process gives you significant control over what happens.
You get to choose the family. You can meet them, get to know them, and decide what feels right for your situation. You also get to decide how much contact you want after the baby is born. Some women choose to stay connected and watch their child grow up. Others prefer a cleaner break. It’s entirely up to you.
Adoption protects you from the medical risks that come with abortion, and many women find peace knowing they gave their child life even when they couldn’t parent. That doesn’t mean it’s emotionally easy, but it’s a different kind of difficulty than the regret that sometimes follows abortion.
The problem is that most pregnancy resource sites and counselors barely spend any time explaining how modern adoption actually works. They assume you won’t be interested, so they rush past it to talk about abortion instead.
Parenting: When It Feels Impossible But Might Not Be
If you’re already struggling financially, emotionally, or in your relationships, the idea of adding a baby to the mix probably feels overwhelming. We get that. But before you write off parenting completely, it’s worth knowing what support actually exists.
Many women who initially panic about parenting discover there are more resources available than they realized. Here in the Twin Cities area, there are programs to help with housing, food, childcare, job training, and parenting classes. You’re not expected to figure it all out on your own.
Research shows something interesting: women who carry unplanned pregnancies to term, even when parenting feels difficult at first, report better emotional well-being years later compared to women who chose abortion. That doesn’t mean parenting is always easy, but it suggests that rising to the challenge often brings unexpected strength and satisfaction.
At Guiding Star Wakota, we don’t just provide pregnancy testing and ultrasounds. We connect women with practical resources for parenting, including material assistance, housing referrals, and ongoing support. Call 651.457.1195 to learn about the help available right here in West St Paul.
Why Everyone Keeps Pushing the Same Answer
Ever wonder why almost every hotline, website, and clinic seems to steer you toward abortion? It’s not necessarily because it’s what’s best for you.
The reality is that abortion services generate significant revenue for the organizations that provide them. A woman who chooses adoption or parenting doesn’t bring in money the same way. That creates an incentive to present abortion as the easiest, most reasonable choice, even when it might not be right for your situation.
There’s also ideological bias at play. Some organizations genuinely believe that abortion is always the best option for women facing unplanned pregnancy, so they minimize the risks and skip over alternatives. Quick decisions serve their agenda, but they don’t necessarily serve you.
At Guiding Star Wakota, we operate differently. We don’t perform abortions, we don’t handle adoption placements, and we don’t pressure women toward any particular choice. We just provide accurate information and support so you can make the decision that’s truly right for you.
You Deserve Better Than a Rush Job
Nobody should be pushed into making a permanent decision about something this important. You deserve complete medical information about every procedure you’re considering. You deserve an honest discussion about both the immediate and long-term consequences, physical and emotional.
You deserve to know that parenting and adoption are serious, achievable options with real support systems behind them. And you deserve a pressure-free space where nobody profits from whatever choice you make.
Rushed decisions serve other people’s interests. Informed decisions protect yours.
Ready to get the complete picture about your options? Contact Guiding Star Wakota today:
Address: 1140 S Robert St, West St Paul, MN 55118
Phone: 651.457.1195
Services: Free pregnancy testing, ultrasound services, options counseling, and ongoing support
We’re open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm and provide completely confidential services to women throughout the Twin Cities area. No appointment necessary for pregnancy testing. Same-day appointments available.
Take the time you need to make a choice you can feel confident about for years to come. Call us at 651.457.1195 or stop by our center in West St Paul. We’re here to give you the truth, the whole truth, and the support you deserve.
References
- Cleland et al., Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2013.
- Studnicki et al., Health Services Research and Managerial Epidemiology, 2021.
- Mayo Clinic. “Ectopic pregnancy.”
- Saccone et al., American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2016.
- Coleman PK, British Journal of Psychiatry, 2011; Gissler et al., European Journal of Public Health, 2005.
- Reardon et al., Cureus Journal, 2023.
- Elliot Institute Reports.
- Charlotte Lozier Institute Fact Sheets.
- Fergusson et al., British Journal of Psychiatry, 2008.