WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT ABORTION
You see the positive pregnancy test and your heart stops. Maybe you’re considering abortion after finding out you’re pregnant. You owe it to yourself to know the facts as well as the risks of abortion. Be informed so you can make a confident pregnancy decision.
THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF ABORTION
MEDICATION ABORTION (THE ABORTION PILL)
You may have heard of the abortion pill, also known as medication abortion. This abortion type involves two different drugs which work to terminate a pregnancy. The first pill, Mifepristone, works to block the womb from absorbing the pregnancy hormone: Progesterone. This causes the lining of the uterus to thin and prevents the embryo from implanting or growing any further.
The second pill, Misoprostol works to make the uterus contract and expel the pregnancy through the vagina. Both drugs are taken within a 24-48 hour time period. Only women 10 weeks pregnant or earlier are eligible for medication abortion. Follow-up with a doctor is vital to see if the abortion was completed.
RISKS OF MEDICATION ABORTION:
- Incomplete abortion (it may need to be followed by surgical abortion)
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Digestive system discomfort
- An ongoing unwanted pregnancy (if the procedure doesn’t work)
- Infection
- Fever
SURGICAL ABORTION
The other main type of abortion is surgical abortion. There are two types of surgical abortion procedures: a D&E (Dilation and Evacuation) abortion and aspiration abortion.
A D&E (Dilation and Evacuation) abortion is for women over 12 weeks pregnant – which involves Anesthesia and dilating the cervix. Different surgical instruments are used to remove the contents of the uterus, and a curette to remove the remaining parts of the pregnancy.
During aspiration abortion, the cervix is numbed and the contents of the uterus are cleared. Aspiration (vacuum) is for women around 12-13 weeks pregnant. It’s a very invasive process, as are all surgical abortion procedures.
RISKS OF SURGICAL ABORTION:
- Incomplete abortion
- Damage to the womb
- Injury to the cervix
- Infection
- Heavy or prolonged bleeding
CONFIRM YOU’RE PREGNANT
Before deciding on abortion, you will first need to verify your pregnancy test results if you have already taken one at home. Receive a free pregnancy test at our center today and other medical referrals for pregnancy confirmation.
Schedule a free and confidential appointment to get started on confirming your pregnancy and to talk about your pregnancy options. We are dedicated to supporting you with the resources you need to make an educated decision.
NOTE: We offer accurate information about all your pregnancy options; however, we do not offer or refer for abortion services. The information presented on this website is intended for general education purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional and/or medical advice.
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