Are You Considering Abortion?
When considering abortion as you navigate an unexpected pregnancy, you may want to know the facts. Here are the two different types of abortion procedures, along with the risks:
1. Medical Abortion
Only available in the first trimester of pregnancy, medical abortion (the abortion pill) involves two different drugs that work to terminate an existing pregnancy: mifepristone and misoprostol.
First, mifepristone blocks the body’s progesterone production, causing the uterus lining to thin and preventing the embryo from growing. Secondly, misoprostol causes strong uterine contractions and expels the pregnancy through the vagina.
The Physical Risks
Possible risks of medical abortion include the following:
- Incomplete abortion (may need to be followed by surgical abortion)
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Digestive system discomfort
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
2. Surgical Abortion
There are multiple types of surgical abortion procedures done at different points of pregnancy. A surgical abortion involves the process of opening and softening the cervix by dilation and using a suction tool and other surgical instruments to remove the pregnancy.
The Physical Risks
Possible risks of surgical abortion include the following:
- Uterine perforation (an instrument pokes a hole in the uterus)
- Damage to the cervix
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall
- Infection
- Vaginal bleeding and cramping
The Mental Risks
Along with the many physical risks of abortion, there are common mental health risks that some women associate with their abortion, including the following:
- Relationship problems
- Substance misuse
- Depression
- Thoughts of suicide
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Know How Far Along You Are?
The FDA only recommends medical abortion for women up to 70 days gestation, so it’s important to confirm how far along you are in your pregnancy. Once you receive a lab-quality, positive pregnancy test, we offer no-cost ultrasounds to determine how far along you are and more.
Schedule a no-cost and confidential appointment to learn more about abortion, the risks, and confirm your pregnancy.