If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and considering an abortion, you deserve to know all the facts and options available for your health and future.
Part of getting those facts is understanding the different types of abortion available.
Medical Abortion
Medical abortion, commonly referred to as the “abortion pill,” is two separate drugs taken in sequence to terminate a viable pregnancy.
The first drug taken is mifepristone, which blocks the body from using the hormone progesterone to support the pregnancy. Without progesterone, your uterus cannot sustain a pregnancy, and the embryo will detach from the uterine wall and stop growing.
The second drug, misoprostol, is taken one to two days after taking mifepristone. This drug causes your uterus to contract and expel the embryo or fetus from your body.
It’s important to know that medical abortion is only FDA-approved in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. To protect your health, you must have an ultrasound scan to determine the age of your pregnancy before proceeding with a medical abortion.
According to the Mayo Clinic, there are risks and complications associated with medical abortion, including:
- Fever
- Infection
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- An ongoing pregnancy (if the abortion pill didn’t work)
- Incomplete abortion (which may need to be followed by a surgical abortion)
- Digestive system discomfort
Surgical Abortion
As the name suggests, surgical abortion is a serious medical procedure performed by a medical professional and trained medical staff.
During a surgical abortion, a woman is given a local anesthetic to help numb any pain or discomfort she may feel during the procedure. After receiving the anesthesia, a doctor will dilate her cervix and remove the pregnancy from her uterus using medical devices, including a suction tube.
Just as with a medical abortion, there are known risks and complications with a surgical abortion that you need to be aware of, such as:
- Perforation of the uterus (when a surgical tool makes a hole in the uterus)
- Damage to the cervix
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall
- Infection
Get the Answers You Need
Both medical abortion and surgical abortion are serious procedures that can significantly impact your health and future, so getting all the information you can is essential to making the best decision for yourself.
That’s where the staff at Choices can help, all at no cost to you. From providing a clinical pregnancy test to confirm your pregnancy to a follow-up ultrasound scan to determine the age, location, and viability of your pregnancy, we are here for you.
We’ll also take the time to discuss all your options, answer your questions, and listen to your concerns.
Remember, it’s your body and your pregnancy, and no one can force you into a decision.
Getting the facts about your pregnancy and understanding all your options will empower you to make the best decision for your body and future.
Contact us today to schedule your free 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, or trichomoniasis.
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, or trichomoniasis.
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.
