Considering Abortion?
There are two types of abortion: medical and surgical. The method available to you is determined by how far along you are in your pregnancy.
An ultrasound exam is the best way to determine how many weeks you’ve been pregnant. We offer no-cost limited ultrasound scans. Schedule an appointment today.
Medical Abortion
The abortion pill is a medical abortion method. It uses two drugs over a 24 to 48-hour period to terminate a pregnancy.
The FDA has approved the use of the abortion pill up to 10 weeks from the first day of your last menstrual period. Some abortion providers prescribe the abortion pill later than 10 weeks, but it has a higher failure rate.
The abortion pill works by first blocking the hormone progesterone, causing the lining of the uterus to thin. Without progesterone, a pregnancy cannot survive. The second drug creates contractions and bleeding to expel the pregnancy from the body through the vagina.
Side Effects and Potential Risks
- An incomplete abortion
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Extreme cramping
- Nausea and Vomiting
Surgical Abortion
Abortion providers perform surgical abortions in a clinic. The gestational age (number of weeks) of your pregnancy determines the surgical procedure used.
Most early surgical abortions use Vacuum or Suction Aspiration. A vacuum sucks out the pregnancy from the uterus.
Later surgical abortions require the added use of scraping tools known as curettes for a method called dilation and curettage (D & C). Dilation and evacuation (D & E) involve removing parts of the fetus using forceps.
Side Effects and Potential Risks
- Heavy bleeding
- Punctured uterus
- Damaged cervix
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall
Before An Abortion
Before you consider traveling for an abortion, ensure that your pregnancy is viable (developing) first. Mayo Clinic research suggests up to 20% of known pregnancies end in a natural miscarriage. There’s no point in traveling if you’ve already miscarried.
Only ultrasound can reveal if your pregnancy is viable (developing) or if you’ve miscarried. Ultrasound also shows you the location of your pregnancy and the length of time you’ve been pregnant.
Call us to learn more about these procedures and your pregnancy options. We offer free ultrasound. Schedule your appointment today.
NOTE: We offer accurate information about all your pregnancy options; however, we do not offer or refer you 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.
