An unexpected pregnancy can leave you searching for answers, and abortion may be one of the options on your mind.
Before you decide anything, it helps to understand what each type of abortion involves and how it could affect your health.
Below you will find the facts about the types of abortion, their risks, and the steps that can protect your health.
You can also contact First Choice Center for Women for free and confidential pregnancy services, and a caring team will be ready to walk alongside you.
Types of Abortion
There are two main types of abortion, and the details of your pregnancy help determine which one is available to you.
Chemical abortion, often called the abortion pill, uses two drugs to end an early pregnancy. The first drug is mifepristone, which blocks progesterone, the hormone a pregnancy needs to keep growing.
Without progesterone, the pregnancy detaches from the uterus and stops developing.
Around 24 to 48 hours later, a second drug called misoprostol causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy through cramping and bleeding.
The FDA only approves this method through ten weeks of pregnancy.
Surgical abortion is an invasive procedure used later in pregnancy.
During a surgical abortion, a doctor dilates the cervix and inserts medical instruments, along with suction and scraping, into the uterus to remove the pregnancy and related tissue.
Risks to Your Health
Both types carry risks and side effects worth understanding before you decide.
Chemical abortion risks can include:
- Incomplete abortion, which may require a follow-up surgical procedure
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
Surgical abortion risks can include:
- Uterine perforation, which means a hole poked through the uterus
- Cervical damage
- Scarring inside the uterus, which can lead to painful periods and infertility
- Infection of the uterus or fallopian tubes
With both types of abortion, there is also a chance of mental health risks, including grief, sadness, anxiety, substance abuse, and depression.
Steps That Protect Your Health
Gathering the facts about your pregnancy comes first.
Home pregnancy tests are usually accurate, but a false result is possible, so confirming with an in-clinic pregnancy test is a wise first step.
A follow-up ultrasound is then used to reveal the age, location, and viability of your pregnancy, including whether it is ectopic, a condition that needs prompt medical care.
Talking with a medical provider who knows your history also helps you understand what type of abortion you may or may not be eligible for.
Get the Help You Need For Your Pregnancy
Your story isn’t over. It has just begun.
First Choice Center for Women is here to give you the clarity you need to make an informed decision.
We offer free and confidential pregnancy testing and a limited ultrasound so you can understand all your options with medically accurate information and a team that is ready to listen.
Contact us today to schedule your free appointment.