Abortions have many different names, but there are only two main types: medical and surgical. If you are seeking an abortion for an unplanned pregnancy, it’s important to understand the details of each procedure and the risks involved before deciding what’s best for you.
What Is A Medical Abortion?
A medical abortion, at-home abortion, and the abortion pill are all the same procedure. This type of termination is only FDA-approved if your pregnancy is 10 weeks gestation or under. This is why it’s critical to determine your pregnancy’s gestational age via ultrasound before seeking the abortion drugs.
How Does It Work?
The abortion pill uses a combination of the drugs mifepristone and misoprostol to end a pregnancy. Mifepristone is taken first to block progesterone, a hormone critical to keeping a pregnancy alive.
Misoprostol is then taken to bring on strong uterine contractions, which will expel the pregnancy from the uterus and out through the vagina. The entire process of a medical abortion can take several days and can be unexpectedly painful.
Risks
After taking the abortion drugs, you will experience vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping. However, you might also experience a risk, which, although rare, can be potentially life-threatening.
Risks to prepare for include incomplete abortion (which may require surgery), heavy bleeding, infection, fever, and digestive system discomfort.
Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortions are typically performed later in pregnancy when the abortion drugs are no longer an option.
How Does It Work?
A surgical abortion requires a hospital visit and can take up to three hours to complete. The process begins by opening the cervix, either through a suppository or a series of surgical tools. Once the cervix is open, the doctor will remove the pregnancy using forceps, strong suction, or scraping tools.
Most women will feel some discomfort and cramping during the procedure.
Risks
Although serious risks are rare with a surgical abortion, complications can still arise and may include perforation of the uterus, damage to the cervix, scar tissue on the uterine wall, and infection.
Making A Plan
Women’s Hope Medical Clinic is here to walk you through all the options available for an unplanned pregnancy. If you’re concerned about some of the risks of an abortion or simply want to speak with someone about the procedure, give our office a call at (334) 502-7000.
Quality and compassionate care is waiting for you at Women’s Hope Medical Clinic. You’re not alone in this. We’re here for you.