Choosing an abortion is a big decision that can affect your health. We talk about this to make sure all women have the information they need to make a confident choice.
Read more to learn important things before deciding on an abortion. If you want to talk to someone, you can contact us for a free and confidential appointment.
Types Of Abortions
There are two types of abortion procedures:
Medical Abortion
Also known as the “abortion pill,” a medical abortion uses drugs to end a pregnancy. First, mifepristone is used to block the hormone progesterone. Next, misoprostol is administered to expel the pregnancy and related tissue from the uterus.
After taking the drugs, you will experience abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding. The other side effects you may experience include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Chills
- Diarrhea
- Headache
Though medical abortion only uses drugs, it’s still a serious medical procedure with risks you should know about, such as:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
Surgical Abortion
A surgical abortion takes place in a clinic and is a procedure where your cervix is opened so that medical tools can be used to end the pregnancy. This usually involves tools for scraping and powerful suction.
The side effects are similar to a medical abortion, but the risks, although rare, can be severe. They include:
- Perforation of the uterus. This occurs when a surgical instrument pokes a hole in the uterus. This happens more often in women who were recently pregnant and in women who have gone through menopause.
Most perforations heal on their own. However, if a blood vessel or other organ is damaged, a second procedure might be needed to repair it. - Damage to the cervix. If the cervix is torn, your doctor can apply pressure or medicine to stop the bleeding or can close the wound with stitches (sutures).
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall. Rarely, a surgical abortion results in the development of scar tissue in the uterus, a condition known as Asherman’s syndrome.
This can lead to unusual, absent or painful menstrual cycles, future miscarriages and infertility. - Infection.
Get All The Facts
Today’s Choice Women’s Center is here to give you all the facts and information you need regarding abortion. We also provide free pregnancy services so you can get key details about your pregnancy to safeguard your health and wellness.
Make an appointment today to get the care you deserve.
*We do not perform or refer for abortions.
