When you’re facing an unexpected pregnancy, there can be a lot to take in. You may have heard about the different types of abortion but are still unsure what they mean or how they differ.
Coastal Pregnancy Care Center is here to help you get the answers you need. We offer free, medical-grade pregnancy testing and limited ultrasounds, along with information about all your options. Get in touch to make a confidential appointment today.
Here’s a closer look at the two main types of abortion and what each involves.
What is a Medical Abortion?
A medical abortion, which is also called the abortion pill, uses two drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol.
Mifepristone blocks progesterone, a hormone needed to support and continue a pregnancy. Misoprostol is taken afterward, anywhere from 24 to 48 hours later, and causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy. Cramping and bleeding are expected side effects of this process.
The abortion pill is FDA-approved through 10 weeks of gestation. Follow-up care is also important to determine whether the abortion was complete and whether further medical care is needed.
Other side effects from a medical abortion include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, chills, or a headache. Possible complications include heavy bleeding, infection, incomplete abortion, and an ongoing pregnancy.
The abortion pill is not indicated for treating an ectopic pregnancy, which develops outside the uterus. This is why an ultrasound is important before making any pregnancy decision, as it can show the location of your pregnancy.
What is a Surgical Abortion?
A surgical abortion is performed in a clinical setting by an abortion provider and uses medical instruments to empty the uterus. Before the procedure begins, the cervix, which is the opening to the uterus, is dilated to allow the provider to access the uterus. Depending on the procedure, suction and other surgical instruments such as forceps may then be used to remove the pregnancy tissue.
Afterward, you may experience abdominal cramping, spotting, or vaginal bleeding. Possible complications include infection, injury to the cervix, or uterine perforation, which happens when an instrument creates a hole in the uterine wall. In some cases, scar tissue can also develop inside the uterus, a condition known as Asherman’s syndrome, which may affect future fertility.
Get a Free Limited Ultrasound at Coastal Pregnancy Care Center
Before making a pregnancy decision, it may help to learn more about how your pregnancy is progressing.
A positive pregnancy test tells you that hCG, a hormone produced during pregnancy, is present. However, it cannot tell you how many weeks pregnant you are, where the pregnancy is developing, or whether the pregnancy appears to be progressing as expected.
A limited ultrasound can provide a clearer picture of your pregnancy and offer information that a pregnancy test alone cannot. Having a better understanding of your circumstances can help you feel more prepared about your next steps and protect your health.
At Coastal Pregnancy Care Center, we offer free and confidential pregnancy services in a caring, supportive environment. Our team is here to listen, answer your questions, and help you understand the information available to you, without pressure. We also provide STD/STI testing as part of our pregnancy services.
Schedule an appointment at our center, or contact us to learn more about upcoming mobile unit locations if you cannot reach us at a clinic.
Call or text: (252) 247-2273.
Coastal Pregnancy Care Center does not provide or refer for abortions.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.