Thinking about abortion? Here is what you will want to know when considering the option of abortion. You deserve to learn the facts.
Type of Abortion Options
The two main types of abortion procedures include surgical abortion and medication abortion. When considering this option, you deserve to understand the facts and risks before making your decision. You are not alone.
Surgical Abortion Procedures
Surgical abortion includes anesthesia and many surgical instruments to remove a fetus and placenta from the mother’s womb (uterus). This procedure is normally completed inside an abortion clinic.
With a surgical abortion, the cervix is dilated and a suction tube is used to remove the pregnancy from the uterus. Depending on how far along you are will determine what type of surgical procedure is done.
An aspiration abortion is done up to 14-16 weeks of pregnancy and a D& E (dilation and evacuation) abortion is done after the 14-16 week mark. To determine how far along you are, an ultrasound is necessary.
Risks of Surgical Abortion
Potential risks of surgical abortion include:
- Damage to the womb 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
Medical Abortion Procedure
Referred to as “the abortion pill,” a medical abortion terminates a pregnancy using two different drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol. This type of abortion is only recommended by the FDA through 70 days gestation (70 days or less since the first day of a woman’s last menstrual period).
First, mifepristone blocks the womb from absorbing progesterone – the pregnancy hormone. Next, misoprostol causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy through the vagina. Typically, mifepristone is prescribed at an abortion clinic and misoprostol is taken at home—24 to 48 hours later.
Risks of Medication Abortion
There are some potential risks of medication abortion include:
- Incomplete abortion ( may need to be followed by surgical abortion)
- An ongoing unwanted pregnancy (if the procedure doesn’t work)
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Digestive system discomfort
- Infection
- Fever
Are You Eligible for Abortion?
To start your pregnancy confirmation process to learn what abortion options you’re eligible for, confirm your pregnancy with a lab-quality pregnancy test at our center.
Schedule your appointment today to learn more.