If you’re considering abortion, understanding the different procedures and their potential risks is an important part of making an informed decision. There are two primary types of abortion, medical and surgical, and the procedure used depends largely on how far along the pregnancy is.
Crossroads Pregnancy Resource Center offers pregnancy testing and limited diagnostic ultrasounds performed by a registered sonographer, so you can learn important details about your pregnancy first.
Schedule an appointment today to get the information you need as you consider your options, and read on to learn more about abortion.
Medical Abortion
Medical abortion, also known as the abortion pill, uses two drugs to end an early pregnancy.
The first drug, mifepristone, blocks progesterone, a hormone necessary for a pregnancy to continue. The second, misoprostol, causes uterine contractions that expel the pregnancy.
The abortion pill is FDA-approved through 10 weeks of gestation. Taking the drugs beyond this timeline is not recommended, as this could pose additional risks.
Bleeding and abdominal cramping will occur during the process. Other possible side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, chills, and headache. Risks include heavy or prolonged bleeding, infection, and an incomplete abortion requiring additional treatment.
Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortion is performed in a medical setting and uses suction, medical instruments, or both to remove the pregnancy from the uterus.
Earlier procedures may primarily involve suction, while procedures later in pregnancy can require further dilation of the cervix and the use of additional instruments.
Cramping and vaginal bleeding or spotting may occur afterward. Possible risks include infection, injury to the cervix, uterine perforation, and scar tissue within the uterus.
Know Your Pregnancy Details First
Because abortion procedures differ according to gestational age, knowing how far along you are is important. A positive pregnancy test alone cannot provide this information.
An ultrasound can estimate gestational age, determine whether the pregnancy is developing, and confirm the pregnancy’s location. The last detail is especially important because an ectopic pregnancy develops outside the uterus and requires immediate medical treatment to prevent life-threatening complications.
At Crossroads Pregnancy Resource Center, limited diagnostic ultrasounds are performed by a registered sonographer. Schedule a no-cost appointment today for pregnancy testing and to learn more about your pregnancy before making a decision.
*Crossroads Pregnancy Resource Center does not provide or refer for abortions.
**All abortion information in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.