While we don’t perform or refer for abortion, we are here to talk to you about it because we believe that knowledge is power. The more you know about abortion, the more you will be equipped to make a confident, educated decision about how to move forward in your pregnancy.
How Does Abortion Work?
There are two types of abortion: medical and surgical. Both types of abortion terminate a pregnancy, but they do it in different ways.
Medical Abortion
Medical abortion, also known as the “abortion pill,” consists of two powerful drugs.
The first drug, mifepristone, blocks progesterone. Without this essential hormone, your uterine lining will loosen, causing the pregnancy to detach and end.
The second drug, misoprostol, causes uterine cramping, which expels the pregnancy out through the vagina.
After taking these drugs, you will experience abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding. Some women report that their pain is excruciating.
These drugs come with risks to your physical health. One of the main risks is an incomplete abortion, which is when parts of the terminated pregnancy remain in your uterus. This can quickly lead to a potentially life-threatening infection.
Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortion is performed in a clinic, and it involves dilating the cervix so that medical instruments (like strong suction and scraping tools) can enter the uterus to terminate and remove the pregnancy.
You may experience one of the following risks to your physical health from surgical abortion:
- Uterine perforation (which happens when one of the medical instruments pokes a hole in your uterus)
- Uterine scarring (which can cause painful periods and future infertility)
- Cervical damage
- Infection
All abortion procedures should include a follow-up health exam to determine you have no complications from your termination procedure.
How Can I Protect My Health?
Along with learning all you can about abortion, it’s essential to know specific details about your pregnancy by getting an ultrasound. This simple scan can help reveal your pregnancy’s age, location, and viability—all critical details to help protect your health.
At Woman to Woman Health Center, we offer no-cost, limited ultrasounds and medically accurate information about your pregnancy options, along with no-cost risk assessment health exams. Contact us today to schedule your confidential appointment.
We believe that you deserve to have the facts to help protect your health. Because you’re worth it.