Why does it matter what type of abortion procedure you have? Were you aware that there is more than one type of abortion procedure?
Here is what to know if considering abortion for an unplanned pregnancy. Making an educated and informed choice is essential because there are steps to take to protect your health and safety.
1. Medical Abortion (The Abortion Pill)
Also known as the abortion pill, medical abortion is done in the first trimester of pregnancy. It begins with the first drug, mifepristone, working to end the early pregnancy by keeping the womb from absorbing progesterone, a hormone necessary for the pregnancy to grow.
Next, Misoprostol expels the pregnancy via uterine cramping and contractions. Medical abortion is FDA-approved through the first 70 days of gestation.
Risks of Medical Abortion
The Mayo Clinic lists some of the common risks of this type of abortion, including:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by a surgical abortion
- An ongoing unwanted pregnancy if the abortion pill doesn’t work
- Digestive system discomfort
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
2. Surgical Abortion
One type of surgical abortion is a Dilation and curettage (D&C), which uses small tools or medication to open the cervix, and a surgical instrument is used to remove the embryo and pregnancy tissue.
Another surgical abortion type is Dilation and Evacuation (D&E), which uses D&C techniques, surgical instruments, and a vacuum to remove the embryo and pregnancy tissue.
Risks of Surgical Abortion
As these types of surgical abortions are similar, they come with similar risks, including:
- Infection/fever
- Uterine perforation
- Cervical injury
- Development of scar tissue
- Uterine rupture
- Uterus not contracting
Confirm Your Pregnancy Details
To protect your health and safety, know where your pregnancy stands before an abortion. It’s vital to understand if you qualify for abortion through pregnancy confirmation. We offer this at no cost to you.
Schedule an appointment today. Our pregnancy services and support are free and strictly confidential, with no judgment. We are here to listen and share the options you have.
