There are risks with any type of medical or surgical procedure you undertake. The same is true for abortion.
There are two types of abortion: medical and surgical. They both come with their own sets of risks.
Keep reading to learn more about each abortion type, or schedule an appointment to talk in person and receive a free lab-quality pregnancy test.
Medical Abortion
A medical abortion is also known as the abortion pill. In reality, it is two drugs taken hours or days apart. The number of pills and the time instructions depend on a woman’s unique prescription.
Mifepristone is usually taken in a medical office or abortion clinic. It blocks the hormone progesterone, ending the pregnancy.
Then, days or hours later (usually at home), misoprostol causes the uterus to contract. The contractions lead to abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding to expel the pregnancy and related tissue.
Women with certain conditions should not attempt a medical abortion. Some of these conditions include:
- Having a pregnancy over nine weeks gestation.
- When a pregnancy is ectopic or growing outside the uterus.
- Use of blood thinners or certain steroids.
- Having an IUD in place.
- Having an allergy to either one of the drugs used.
- Having certain disorders or diseases.
The potential risks of a medical abortion include:
- An incomplete abortion, which may require a surgical procedure
- An ongoing pregnancy
- Fever
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Digestive system discomfort
Surgical Abortion
If a woman is too far along in her pregnancy or has some health reasons to pass on the abortion pill, a surgical abortion may be considered a safer option. One surgical abortion type is a dilation and curettage abortion (D&C).
In a D&C, the cervix is dilated (opened), and a physician surgically removes the pregnancy and related tissue using a surgical instrument called a curette. A curette is a sharp instrument or suction tool used to scrape and suction out the pregnancy.
The risks of a surgical abortion include:
- Perforation of the uterus
- Scar tissue to the uterine wall
- Damage to the cervix
- Infection
Risks of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
If an STI, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, is present in the vaginal area before the abortion, there is a risk it can spread into the uterus.
If not treated, there is a chance of developing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID is a serious infection of the female reproductive organs.
The danger of PID is that it often has no noticeable or mild symptoms. If not treated, it can cause infertility, chronic pain, or other complications.
Receive Free Services at Today’s Choice Women’s Center
Our experienced medical team can provide a free, lab-quality pregnancy test. We will also offer a free ultrasound scan if your test is positive and information on all your options and community resources.
Move forward with confidence! Contact us today.
Today’s Choice Women’s Center does not refer for or provide abortions.
