Thinking about how your unexpected pregnancy will impact your future can be overwhelming. Does the fear of the unknown make you feel like abortion is the easiest option?
Before choosing to have an abortion, it is essential to understand that an abortion is a serious medical event that can lead to unwanted health complications.
Taking time to understand the side effects of abortion can help you make an informed decision about your pregnancy.
Types of Abortion
Medical Abortion
Medical abortion, commonly referred to as the abortion pill, is used to terminate the pregnancy through 10 weeks gestation.
The abortion pill consists of a series of drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol.
Mifepristone is taken first to block the hormone progesterone.
Then, misoprostol causes the uterus to contract, and the woman will experience cramping and bleeding as she expels the pregnancy through her vagina.
Surgical Abortion
In a surgical abortion, the doctor first dilates the cervix by administering medication or by using a surgical instrument. After dilating the cervix, the doctor scrapes or suctions the pregnancy from the uterus.
Physical Effects of Abortion
Every woman’s body responds differently to abortion.
The physical risks of a medical abortion include:
- 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
The physical risks of a surgical abortion include:
- Perforation of the uterus
- Damage to the cervix
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall
- Infection
Complications can arise that require prompt medical attention, including:
- Heavy bleeding — soaking two or more pads an hour for two hours
- Severe abdominal or back pain
- Fever lasting more than 24 hours
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Pain that gets worse instead of better
- Lasting dizziness or lightheadedness
- Cramps lasting more than 48 hours (after surgical abortion)
Get the Help You Deserve
For the sake of your health, it’s important to find out more details about your pregnancy and the options available.
The medical team at Choices is here to help.
The first step is confirming your pregnancy with pregnancy testing and a follow-up ultrasound if necessary.
After discovering more details about your pregnancy, the medical team can answer your questions and provide helpful information to help you make the best decision for your future.
Contact us today for your no-cost and confidential appointment.
Pregnancy Testing
To confirm your pregnancy, start with a no-cost pregnancy test from Choices. We will confidentially provide conclusive results at no cost to you.
STD/STI Services
During your pregnancy test, we also offer limited STD/STI screening. You and your partner receive no-cost treatment if you test positive for gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, or syphilis.
Ultrasounds
If your pregnancy test is positive, complete the confirmation process with a no-cost limited ultrasound. An ultrasound confirms viability, the gestational age, and the location of your pregnancy.
Abortion Pill Reversal
If you’ve taken the first dose of the abortion pill method and regret your decision, it may not be too late to save your pregnancy. There’s a process called Abortion Pill Reversal, but you must act quickly.
Pregnancy Testing
To confirm your pregnancy, start with a no-cost pregnancy test from Choices. We will confidentially provide conclusive results at no cost to you.
STD/STI Services
During your pregnancy test, we also offer limited STD/STI screening. You and your partner receive no-cost treatment if you test positive for gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, or syphilis.
Ultrasounds
If your pregnancy test is positive, complete the confirmation process with a no-cost limited ultrasound. An ultrasound confirms viability, the gestational age, and the location of your pregnancy.
Abortion Pill Reversal
If you’ve taken the first dose of the abortion pill method and regret your decision, it may not be too late to save your pregnancy. There’s a process called Abortion Pill Reversal, but you must act quickly.
