In an unplanned pregnancy, many women feel abortion is their only choice. While we know it is one of the options, it isn’t the only one.
Determining what road you take is up to you. We want you to be informed about abortion procedures, side effects, and potential risks, so you’re prepared to make a confident decision.
Types Of Abortion
There are two main methods of abortion: medical and surgical. Which method you have is determined by how far along your pregnancy is (gestational age). Both have specific side effects and risks, so it’s essential you know what to expect.
Medical Abortion/The Abortion Pill
The abortion pill is a medical abortion using two drugs to terminate your pregnancy and remove it from your body.
According to the FDA (Federal Drug Administration), you qualify for the abortion pill if your pregnancy is 70 days or less from the first day of your last menstrual cycle.
Every pregnancy needs a hormone known as progesterone to grow and thrive. When pregnant, a woman’s body produces a large amount of progesterone.
During the abortion pill procedure, the first drug blocks a woman’s uterus from absorbing this hormone and terminates the pregnancy. The second drug causes the uterus to contract to remove the pregnancy from the woman’s body.
Schedule an appointment with one of our mentors for more detailed information about the side effects and potential risks of the abortion pill.
Surgical Abortion
How far along you are in your pregnancy determines what type of surgical abortion you’ll have.
If your pregnancy is between 5 and 12 weeks, your health care provider uses a suctioning device (like a vacuum) to suck the pregnancy out of your uterus.
If your pregnancy is approximately 12 to 14 weeks, your provider will do a dilation and curettage (D & C).
This procedure uses the same suctioning device and a sharp spoon-shaped instrument to scrape out additional tissue.
Finally, a dilation and evacuation (D & E) may be necessary if you are beyond 14 weeks. In addition to suctioning and scraping, your doctor may find it necessary to use forceps to pull out larger pieces of the pregnancy.
Schedule an appointment with one of our mentors for more detailed information about the side effects and potential risks of a surgical abortion.
How Can We Help You?
If abortion is something you are considering, we are here to listen, offer a pregnancy test and ultrasound and provide education as you consider your decision. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our mentors at no charge to you. We do not provide or refer for any abortion services but will provide education and support no matter the decision you make.
Knowing how far along you are is essential information as you consider your choice- we can help you get that information.