So you’re thinking about abortion as your pregnancy option? It can be nerve-racking to make a final decision, as abortion is a serious medical procedure with major risks. Here is more information about the different types of abortion procedures and the risks involved.
Learn the facts so you can make a clear and confident decision moving forward.
Verify Your Pregnancy
Verifying your pregnancy does two things: 1. It shares important pregnancy details (determining if you have a healthy, viable pregnancy), and 2. It reveals if you are eligible for abortion, or not. To confirm your pregnancy after taking an at-home pregnancy test, receive a lab-quality pregnancy test and ultrasound at Turlock Pregnancy and Health Center today.
The Two Types of Abortion
Abortion can be done in two different procedures, depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy.
Medication Abortion (The Abortion Pill)
Online abortion, medication abortion, the abortion pill – there are all used interchangeably at times and it can get confusing. The abortion pill is a part of the medication abortion procedure – only done for women 10 weeks pregnant or earlier.
There are two powerful drugs used in the process. The first drug prescribed is called Mifepristone, which works to block the womb from absorbing the progesterone hormone. This causes thinning of the uterus lining and stops the embryo from implanting or growing. Secondly, Misoprostol is prescribed, which causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy.
Risks Of Medication Abortion:
- Incomplete abortion (may need to be followed by surgical abortion)
- An ongoing unwanted pregnancy (if the procedure fails)
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
- Infection
Surgical Abortion
A surgical abortion procedure is much more invasive than a medication abortion, as surgical instruments are used to remove the pregnancy through the vagina. The two major types of surgical abortion include D&E (Dilation and Evacuation) and Suction Aspiration.
Dilation & Evacuation (D&E) – 12-21 weeks after last menstrual cycle)
This type of abortion procedure often requires sedation and the cervix is injected with a local anesthetic. A tube is used to suction out the pregnancy, and forceps are used to remove the remaining parts of the pregnancy. Finally, the lining of your uterus will be scraped to ensure all of the pregnancy is removed.
Suction Aspiration – 6-12 weeks after last menstrual cycle
In Suction Aspiration, the cervix is also injected with local anesthetic and dilated. A tube is then inserted within the uterus and a suction device is used to remove the pregnancy.
Risks Of Surgical Abortion:
- Incomplete abortion
- Damage to the womb
- Heavy or prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Injury to the cervix
All Your Pregnancy Options
If you still have questions or fears about abortion, talk to our team about all your pregnancy options. We can help you confirm your pregnancy as well, with a free and confidential pregnancy test and ultrasound.
Schedule an appointment at no cost to you today. We are here for you.