If you are facing an unexpected pregnancy and weighing abortion, it’s important to understand what actually happens to your body before you decide anything.
Abortion comes in two forms: medical and surgical. Each type has specific limitations and risks that are important to know up front.
Read on for more details and contact Pregnancy Options for confidential support.
Types of Abortion and How They Work
Medical Abortion
Medical abortion, often called the abortion pill, ends a pregnancy using two drugs and is only FDA-approved if your pregnancy is 10 weeks gestation or under.
The first drug, mifepristone, blocks progesterone, the hormone a pregnancy needs to keep growing. Without it, the pregnancy detaches from the uterine wall and stops developing.
The second drug, misoprostol, causes your uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy through the vagina. These contractions typically bring on heavy bleeding and strong cramping.
It’s essential to know that these drugs come with health risks, including:
- An incomplete abortion that may require a follow-up surgical procedure
- Heavy or prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive discomfort such as nausea and cramping
Furthermore, not everyone is eligible to take these drugs.
Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortion is typically used after 10 weeks and is an invasive procedure.
A doctor opens, or dilates, your cervix, then inserts surgical instruments and a suction device into your uterus to remove the pregnancy and related tissue. Anesthesia may or may not be used.
Surgical abortion carries its own set of health risks, including:
- Perforation of the uterus
- Damage to the cervix
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall, which can affect future fertility
- Infection
Knowing Your Options Starts With the Facts
Before you decide, you deserve clear information.
Ruling out preexisting medical conditions and learning details about your pregnancy are crucial to protecting your health.
An ultrasound can show how far along you are, whether the pregnancy is growing, and whether it is located in the uterus. These details directly shape which options are available to you.
We Are Here for You
At Pregnancy Options, we walk alongside you rather than ahead of you.
We provide no-cost pregnancy testing, and if your test is positive, a no-cost limited obstetrical ultrasound that gives you the information you need to move forward with confidence.
Reach out today to schedule your confidential appointment. You’re not alone in this. We’re here for you.