If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy, understanding your options is essential. Abortion is a procedure that comes in two forms: medical (the “abortion pill”) and surgical abortion.
Before making any pregnancy decision, it’s crucial to gather accurate information, understand the risks, and ensure your health is protected.
Her Hope Pregnancy Center is here to offer support, provide answers, and help you navigate your next steps. Contact us today for a free, confidential appointment, or read on to learn the essentials you need to know about abortion.
Medical Abortion (The Abortion Pill)
A medical abortion uses two drugs to terminate a pregnancy and is FDA-approved through 10 weeks gestation. These drugs are:
- Mifepristone: This is taken first and it blocks progesterone, the hormone necessary for maintaining pregnancy. Without progesterone, your uterine lining will loosen, and your pregnancy will eventually detach and end.
- Misoprostol: This drug is taken 24-48 hours later and causes contractions that expel the pregnancy from the uterus and out through the vagina.
Risks of medical abortion include:
- Heavy bleeding and cramping
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Incomplete abortion, which is when parts of the pregnancy remain in your uterus
- Infection, which can become life-threatening
Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortion is a procedure performed in a clinic to remove the pregnancy. It involves dilating the cervix so that surgical instruments can enter the uterus to remove the pregnancy. The type of procedure depends on how far along the pregnancy is:
Aspiration (Vacuum) Abortion
This type of procedure is usually performed when the pregnancy is 16 weeks gestation or less. This procedure involves suctioning out the pregnancy tissue.
Dilation & Evacuation (D&E)
Performed after the pregnancy is 16 weeks gestation or older, this method combines surgical tools, strong suction, and forceps to remove the pregnancy.
Risks of surgical abortion include:
- Infection
- Excessive bleeding
- Damage to the uterus or cervix, which can cause painful periods or future infertility
Her Hope Pregnancy Center is Here for You
At Her Hope Pregnancy Center, we’re here for you. We offer free, confidential Options Consultations where you can ask questions, receive accurate information, and discuss your options in a safe, supportive space. We also provide free ultrasound referrals to ensure you have the information you need to make a fully informed decision.
You don’t have to navigate this alone. Contact us today to schedule your free, confidential appointment.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.