Abortion is a big decision that will greatly impact your future. It’s important to be informed about the process and risks and proceed with pregnancy confirmation to safeguard your health.
In this blog, we will break each of these down for you to get more clarity for your unique situation.
Know How Abortion Works
There are two types of abortion procedures done at different points of pregnancy: medical abortion and surgical abortion.
1. Medical Abortion
Also known as the abortion pill, medical abortion includes taking two different drugs to terminate an existing pregnancy.
First, mifepristone works to block the hormone progesterone. This causes the lining of the uterus to thin. It prevents the embryo from staying attached to the uterine wall and growing. Misoprostol causes the uterus to contract and expel the embryo through the vagina.
2. Surgical Abortion
A surgical abortion includes dilation of the cervix and a mix of tools and suction. Multiple surgical instruments are used to remove the pregnancy.
A woman may have either a D&C (dilation and curettage) or a D&E (dilation and evacuation), depending on how far along she is in pregnancy. A D&E is typically performed later in pregnancy and requires more tools, like forceps.
Know the Risks
There are unique risks to each type of abortion procedure. A medical abortion comes with possible risks, including:
- The body not releasing all pregnancy tissue in the uterus, also called an incomplete abortion. This may require surgical treatment.
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work.
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding.
- Infection.
- Fever.
- Digestive symptoms such as upset stomach.
Surgical abortion procedures share risks, including:
- Damage to the uterus or cervix
- Uterine perforation
- Excessive bleeding
- Infection of the uterus or fallopian tubes
- Scarring of the inside of the uterus
- Reaction to the medicines or anesthesia, such as problems breathing
- Not removing all of the tissue, requiring another procedure
Know if You’re Eligible
The FDA only recommends medical abortion for women through 10 weeks of pregnancy. Otherwise, a surgical abortion may be your only other abortion option. This is why pregnancy confirmation is needed to better understand your pregnancy details.
Medical abortion is not an option if you:
- Are too far along in your pregnancy.
- Have an intrauterine device (IUD) currently in place.
- Have a suspected pregnancy outside of the uterus. This is called ectopic pregnancy.
- Have certain medical conditions. These include anemia, some bleeding disorders, chronic adrenal failure, certain heart or blood vessel diseases, severe liver, kidney, or lung disease, or an uncontrolled seizure disorder.
- Take a blood thinner or certain steroid medicines.
- Can’t reach a healthcare professional by phone or online, or don’t have access to emergency care.
- Have an allergy to the medicine used in a medical abortion.
Make an Informed Decision
Confirm your pregnancy with free and confidential pregnancy testing and a limited ultrasound if you qualify. In the event of a positive test, we offer financial assistance on a case by case basis. We can help you gain more information about your pregnancy and your options, including abortion.
Schedule a free pregnancy appointment today to learn more. We’re here for you.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.