Thinking About Abortion?
If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy, you may be considering abortion. In fact, it may seem like your only option. There is a lot to consider before you make a final decision though.
Get your abortion questions answered today by talking with our team, free and confidentially. Our team is here for you, no matter what pregnancy decision you make. The choice is ultimately yours to make.
How Does Abortion Work?
There are two main types of abortion to know about, along with the risks of each. It’s essential to confirm your pregnancy as it will determine what abortion options you qualify for, if any.
Medical Abortion
Often called the abortion pill, medical abortion is a two-step process involving two drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol. These drugs work together to end an existing pregnancy. This type of abortion is only recommended for women up to 10 weeks of pregnancy, and a surgical abortion is needed if over this gestational age.
Mifepristone first prevents the embryo from implanting or growing by blocking the uterus from absorbing progesterone, a pregnancy hormone. Then misoprostol works to contract the uterus and remove the embryo through the vagina.
Risks of medical abortion:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- An ongoing unwanted pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortion is usually done for women after 10 weeks of pregnancy and is a more invasive abortion type. With this procedure, the fetus and placenta are removed from the womb by dilating the cervix and using different surgical instruments. Anesthesia is used, as well as a suction tube to remove all remaining contents. Antibiotics are typically given afterward to reduce infection and bleeding.
Risks of Surgical Abortion:
- Damage to the womb or cervix
- Uterine perforation (accidentally putting a hole in the uterus with one of the instruments used)
- 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
What’s My First Step?
Your first step is pregnancy confirmation! To determine what options you have, a medical-grade pregnancy test and ultrasound are needed. An ultrasound will confirm if you have a viable pregnancy, as well as confirm how far along you are. It can also alert you to any pregnancy complications such as ectopic pregnancy (where the pregnancy grows outside the uterus) or miscarriage.
Schedule a free and confidential pregnancy confirmation appointment with us today to get clarity.
The Coastal Pregnancy Care Center does not benefit financially from your decision regarding your pregnancy. All our services are at no cost to you. We do not perform or refer for abortion, but we do provide information and services so you are equipped and empowered to make an informed choice about your pregnancy.