If you are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, you may be considering abortion and wondering how it works.
There are two different types of abortion, medical and surgical, but both terminate a pregnancy.
Before choosing abortion, you must understand how both types of abortion work as well as what risks are associated with the procedures so that you can best protect your health.
Medical Abortion
Medical abortion, also known as the abortion pill, uses a series of drugs to terminate an early (first-trimester) viable pregnancy.
The first drug used is called mifepristone, which blocks the hormone progesterone. Without progesterone, the pregnancy will stop growing and detach from your uterine wall.
The drug misoprostol is then used, which causes your uterus to contract, expelling the pregnancy from your body through abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding.
Keep in mind that medical abortion would not be advised for women who are more than 10 weeks pregnant or have certain pre-existing medical conditions.
There are also known risks associated with a medical abortion.
These include:
- Incomplete abortion, which may require a follow-up surgical procedure
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive discomfort
Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortion is typically used to terminate a viable pregnancy that is more than 10 weeks along.
A surgical abortion involves using medical devices or drugs to dilate (open) your cervix. Then, an abortion provider uses a mixture of scraping and suction tools to remove the pregnancy and empty your uterus.
Because a surgical abortion is an invasive procedure, you would need some form of local or general anesthesia. There are also known risks that you should be aware of before making a decision.
These risks can include:
- Perforation of the uterus
- Damage to the cervix
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall (which could lead to infertility)
- Infection
Getting the Facts
Knowing all the facts about your pregnancy is crucial for protecting your health and making informed decisions.
The only way to get those facts is by having an ultrasound scan to determine the age of your pregnancy as well as the location and viability, all critical information you will use as you weigh your options.
LifeLine Pregnancy Center provides no-cost pregnancy tests and refers clients to an on-site medical clinic for limited ultrasounds. Our trained staff will also answer all your questions and listen to your concerns.
Contact us today to schedule your no-cost and confidential appointment.
