In recent years, people have taken their personal lives into greater account. Because of this, a person is now able to make the choice on whether or not they are ready for a child. Because birth control is not always effective in preventing pregnancy, many people have decided to make the choice to have an abortion. An abortion is a medical procedure which removes the fetus inside of a woman's body. The procedure is often quick and is an out-patient service. Because of certain state laws and current medical knowledge, abortions are often illegal after the second trimester. However, certain states only allow abortions procedures to be completed before being pregnant after an eight week period. If an abortion is decided on after an eight week period, it is common that the fetus will feel pain. This is a very good reason for a person considering an abortion to decide on this option before it is too late. Currently, there are many Planned Parenthood organizations who are willing to provide abortions for expecting mothers. However, people considering an abortion procedure should do the necessary research and determine when and where they will need to go to receive the procedure. More often than not, abortions are only offered in larger cities, so an expecting mother may have to drive a short distance and make an appointment. This is not to say the opting for an abortion does not come without consequences. In some countries, the act of aborting a child is considered entirely illegal. In certain parts of the world, an abortion is only considered legal if the expecting mother's life is at risk. An expecting mother should consult with their doctor on their physical health before considering getting an abortion. She should also check with current state law officials concerning the legality issues involved in getting an abortion. An abortion is a very serious procedure that should be planned for. An expecting mother should consider the fact that she has a living person inside of her, as well as consider the health risks involved in undergoing the operation. Many women consider alternatives to receiving an abortion. One alternative option for expecting mothers is adoption.