Dealing with a surprise pregnancy can leave you feeling overwhelmed. You may feel confused about where to get help or who to ask for advice.
The most important thing you can do when facing an unplanned pregnancy is to gather all the facts you need to make the best choice for your health and future. Whether you decide on adoption or abortion, it’s a personal decision only you can make.
Types of Abortion Procedures
Abortion works to terminate a pregnancy, and there are two types of abortion: medical and surgical.
1. Medical Abortion
A medical abortion (also called the abortion pill) uses two drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol.
- Mifepristone blocks the hormone progesterone your body makes, which helps a pregnancy grow in the womb. Without this hormone, the embryo or fetus detaches from the womb’s wall and stops growing.
- Misoprostol, a medicine that causes the womb to contract, is then taken to push the pregnancy and any associated tissue out of your body.
It’s important to know that medical abortion is only FDA-approved in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. A pregnancy test and ultrasound are needed to confirm how far along you are to determine your options. We can help you get started with this process of pregnancy confirmation.
2. Surgical Abortion
A surgical abortion involves a medical procedure called Dilation and Curettage (D&C) performed by a physician. During a D&C procedure, the doctor will dilate the cervix and use special tools, including a suction device, to remove the pregnancy and any associated tissue from the uterus. This type of surgical abortion is a much more invasive procedure.
The Risks of Abortion
Before you decide to have a medical or surgical abortion, it’s important to know about any possible risks. Understanding these risks will help you decide if abortion is for you. According to the Mayo Clinic, these risks can include:
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Fever
- Infection
- Discomfort in the digestive system
- Cervical damage
- Uterine perforation
We’re Here for You
Talk through abortion and all your options when it comes to pregnancy with our non-judgemental staff today. We’re here to help and to listen. Contact us to begin with a pregnancy test.