Before you make any decision about your pregnancy, you deserve a clear picture of what abortion involves physically. The risks are real, vary depending on the procedure, and on how far along your pregnancy is.
Schedule a free, confidential appointment at Coastal Pregnancy Care Center to get accurate information before you decide.
Risks of the Abortion Pill
Medical abortion uses two drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol, to end a pregnancy, and the FDA has approved it through 10 weeks of pregnancy.
The physical risks include:
- An incomplete abortion, which may require a surgical procedure to complete
- Heavy or prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- An ongoing pregnancy if the drugs do not work
Risks of Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortion is typically performed after 10 weeks. It involves dilating the cervix and removing the pregnancy using suction and surgical instruments. Risks include:
- Damage to the cervix or uterine lining
- Uterine perforation, a puncture caused by a surgical instrument
- Excessive bleeding
- Infection of the uterus or fallopian tubes
- Scarring inside the uterus
- Reaction to anesthesia or medications
Why an Ultrasound Comes First
Before either type of abortion, there are two things worth knowing: how far along the pregnancy is, and where it is located. A home pregnancy test cannot tell you either of those things.
A limited ultrasound at Coastal Pregnancy Care Center confirms gestational age, which determines which procedure you qualify for. It also rules out an ectopic pregnancy, a condition in which the pregnancy grows outside the uterus. An ectopic pregnancy cannot be treated with the abortion pill and requires immediate medical attention.
Coastal Pregnancy Care Center provides free, confidential pregnancy testing, limited ultrasounds, and STD/STI testing at no cost to you.
Schedule your free, confidential appointment today.
Call or text: (252) 247-2273.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.