Are You Considering Having An Abortion?
Abortion is one of the choices you have for your unexpected pregnancy. Learning about the various procedures, expected side effects, and potential physical and emotional risks is vital. We provide some information here, but we encourage you to schedule an appointment with one of our client advocates for more specific information.
What Are the Types of Abortion?
There are two types of abortion: medical and surgical. How far along you are in your pregnancy determines the abortion procedure you will have.
Medical Abortion
Abortion providers often refer to a medical abortion as the abortion pill method. However, a medical abortion uses two drugs to terminate a pregnancy. The FDA approves these drugs only through 10 weeks of pregnancy.
The first drug, mifepristone, blocks the hormone progesterone. All pregnancies require progesterone to continue growing; without this hormone, the pregnancy ends.
The second drug, misoprostol, causes bleeding and contractions to remove the pregnancy from the body. Women report various levels of pain and bleeding during this time; some consider it severe.
Expect nausea and vomiting, fever and chills, and an upset stomach and diarrhea as side effects.
Risks of The Abortion Pill
- The body doesn’t release all of the pregnancy and tissue in the uterus (an incomplete abortion)
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work.
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding.
- Infection
Surgical Abortion
The number of weeks you have been pregnant determines what type of surgical procedure you will have. During the first 12 weeks, abortion providers perform suction or vacuum aspiration to suck out the contents of the uterus.
As the pregnancy progresses, the abortion provider may add a sharp, spoon-shaped scraping tool or forceps to remove larger parts. Expect some bleeding and cramping.
Risks of Surgical Abortion
- Perforation of the uterus (poking a hole with a surgical instrument)
- Damage to the cervix (which leads to the uterus)
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall
- Infection
Emotional Side Effects and Risks of Abortion
Many women report relief after their abortions. However, some women begin feeling guilt, shame, or a sense of loss as the days, weeks, months, or even years go by. One study concluded that women who struggle with anxiety and depression before their abortions are at greater risk of mental health problems afterward.
At the Pregnancy Test and Resource Center, we do not perform or refer for abortion. We provide factual, medically-based information about all the procedures, side effects, and risks. Schedule an appointment to get the facts.