Understand Your Abortion Options

Finding out that you are unexpectedly pregnant can lead to fear and anxiety. If you find yourself in this situation, you may be looking for the best way to return to your everyday life quickly and discretely. You might have questions about abortion. Taking the time to learn the facts about all your options, including abortion procedures, can help you make an informed decision.

Before any abortion procedure, it is strongly recommended that women receive a physical and obtain an ultrasound to verify, date, and locate the pregnancy. Women should disclose their medical history to ensure they are eligible for an abortion.

The Abortion Pill

The abortion pill, also known as a medical abortion, uses two drugs, mifepristone, and misoprostol, to terminate a pregnancy. The FDA has approved the use of these drugs in the termination of viable pregnancies under 10 weeks.

This method of abortion begins with a visit to a provider’s office. A woman will take the first medication, mifepristone, and then be sent home. Mifepristone blocks progesterone, a hormone, from supporting the pregnancy. This ends the pregnancy. The woman takes the second medication, misoprostol, up to 48 hours later. Misoprostol forces the uterus to begin contracting, which causes the pregnancy to exit the body with bleeding through the vagina.

Women receiving the abortion pill should be aware of the risks of medical abortion and monitor themselves for signs and symptoms of complications since they will be experiencing it at home. Risks of medical abortion can include the following:

  • Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
  • An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
  • Heavy and prolonged bleeding
  • Infection
  • Fever
  • Digestive system discomfort

Surgical Abortion

A surgical abortion is a procedure that takes place at a provider’s office. The provider uses tools to dilate and hold the cervix open. They then use suction and sometimes additional scraping tools to remove the pregnancy from the woman’s uterus.

After a surgical abortion, women are sent home to recover, so they must be familiar with the risks and monitor themselves for complications. The risks of surgical abortion can include the following:

  • Infection
  • Heavy bleeding
  • Perforation of the uterus
  • Damage to the cervix
  • Scar tissue on the uterine wall

Want to Learn More?

You can trust our advocates to offer you up-to-date and accurate information regarding your options. Let us give you the understanding you need to make a decision that instills you with confidence. Contact us today to schedule a free appointment.

For more information about types of abortion procedures, please click here.