Depending on how far along in your pregnancy, you will be eligible for different types of abortion procedures. Whether you’re seeking advice or support or simply wish to understand your options, we will cover the crucial details about each type of abortion, including how they work and considerations.
Let’s explore these options together, ensuring you have the information necessary to navigate this important decision. Or, if you’d rather talk to someone face-to-face, reach out to us at Today’s Choice Women’s Center.
Medical Abortion
In the early stages of pregnancy, you may be eligible for a medical abortion. Medical abortion is the process of using drugs to terminate a pregnancy.
Though it’s also known as “the abortion pill,” a medical abortion uses two drugs specifically: mifepristone and misoprostol. Mifepristone blocks the hormone progesterone, while misoprostol expels the pregnancy and its related tissue from the vagina.
Though the procedure is FDA-approved through ten weeks gestation, various conditions would make medical abortion not an option, such as:
- Being too far along in your pregnancy. You shouldn’t attempt a medical abortion if you’ve been pregnant for more than nine weeks (after the start of your last period).
- Having an intrauterine device (IUD) currently in place.
- Having a suspected pregnancy outside of the uterus. This is called ectopic pregnancy.
- Having certain medical conditions. These include bleeding disorders; certain heart or blood vessel diseases; severe liver, kidney, or lung disease; or an uncontrolled seizure disorder.
- Taking a blood thinner or certain steroid medicines.
- Being unable to make follow-up visits to your provider or not having access to emergency care.
- Having an allergy to the medicine used.
Surgical Abortion
If you are later in your pregnancy or don’t meet the requirements of a medical abortion, a surgical abortion may be an option for you.
Surgical abortion uses a combination of drugs and medical instruments to end a pregnancy. Small tools or medications are utilized to dilate the cervix, the lower, narrow part of the uterus. Then, a surgical tool called a curette, which may be either a sharp instrument or a suction device, is used to extract the contents from the uterus
Unlike a medical abortion, where the drugs are taken at home, a surgical abortion is performed in a hospital or clinic. After the procedure, a few hours are spent in a recovery room to check for excessive bleeding or other complications.
Before Seeking an Abortion
This is only an introduction to the types of abortion procedures. There’s still much to know about the side effects, mental health impacts, and physical risks to your health.
That’s why you should talk with us at Today’s Choice Women’s Center. Whether you want appointment to go over your options or to visit us for our no-cost pregnancy services, we’re here for you.
Contact us to make an appointment.
