How far along you are in your pregnancy will determine which type of abortion you are eligible for. A medical abortion is only FDA-approved for up to 10 weeks (70 days after your last menstrual period).
If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy, abortion might seem like a convenient solution, but it is still a medical procedure that always comes with some sort of risk. The more research you do, the more confidently you can make your decision.
Read the rest of this article for the types of abortions, any potential risks, and what steps you should take before making the financial and long-term commitment to a procedure.
Surgical vs. Medical Abortion
Medical Abortion (The Abortion Pill)
A medical abortion is a regimen of two different drugs that are taken within 24-48 hours of each other. The first pill, Mifepristone, blocks the pregnancy and placenta from receiving progesterone, which is an essential hormone needed for the pregnancy to keep growing.
Once the pregnancy has been ended by Mifepristone, the second drug, Misoprostol, is taken. It forces the uterus to contract so that the fetus and any remaining tissue is expelled.
Surgical Abortion
A surgical abortion will require a visit to a clinic or doctor’s office. The cervix will be dilated and a small suction tube will be inserted into the uterus to remove any pregnancy-related tissue. A follow up visit may be required.
Risks of the Medical Abortion (The Abortion Pill)
The Mayo Clinic lists the following risks associated with medical abortion:
- Incomplete abortion (may need to be followed by surgical abortion)
- An ongoing unwanted pregnancy (if the procedure doesn’t work)
- Heavy/prolonged bleeding
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
- Infection
A medical abortion does not always require an in-person visit to a clinic, so it’s important to take important health screenings to make sure that you have a viable pregnancy and that you are not experiencing an ectopic pregnancy.
Risks of Surgical Abortion
According to the National Library of Medicine, risks of surgical abortion may include the following:
- Internal damage from one of the surgical instruments
- Excessive bleeding that gets worse instead of better
- Infection
- Scarring
- Reaction to the medicines or anesthesia used
- Not removing all of the tissue, requiring another procedure
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), the complication rate of a surgical abortion is about 2 percent. With any medical procedure, there is also the risk of septic shock, so it is important to seek immediate care if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms.
Schedule an Appointment
The first step you should take prior to going through an abortion is to confirm your pregnancy and receive a free limited ultrasound. At Mosaic, we offer free medical-grade pregnancy tests, as well as ultrasounds that reveal that the pregnancy is located in the correct place and that the fetal heartbeat is present. Since 20% of known pregnancies end naturally, it is important to make sure that your pregnancy is progressing prior to making a commitment to a pregnancy decision, and this can be shown by detecting a fetal heartbeat.
Our Center does not perform or refer for abortions, but we are committed to providing accurate information to our clients regarding each pregnancy option. Contact us today to schedule an ultrasound and have your questions answered by our caring and compassionate staff.