What To Know About Abortion

If you are considering abortion for your unplanned pregnancy, it’s critical to get the facts first. We’re glad you’re doing your research. Like any medical procedure, abortion has risks. Experts advise speaking with a healthcare provider beforehand about limitations, such as your current medications, health concerns, and the gestational age of your pregnancy.

Although we do not perform or refer for abortion, we’ll help you get the information you need.

Get The Facts: Medical & Surgical Abortion

There are two types of abortion. The number of weeks you have been pregnant usually determines the procedure you qualify for. A medical abortion is also called a medication or chemical abortion. You may know it as the abortion pill. This type of abortion uses powerful drugs to end a pregnancy.

Surgical procedures vary depending on the gestational age of your pregnancy. Gestational refers to how far along you are in your pregnancy. Let’s take a closer look at both.

Medical Abortion (the abortion pill)

You take two drugs when using the abortion pill method. The first drug is mifepristone. It blocks a vital hormone called progesterone. Every pregnancy needs progesterone to develop. Without it, the pregnancy ends.

Misoprostol is the second drug. It causes vaginal bleeding and contractions to remove the pregnancy from your body. Women experience a medical abortion differently. For some, the contractions are similar to strong period cramps. For others, they describe the pain as “out of this world.”

The FDA highly regulates mifepristone. Only certified providers can prescribe it. They have approved the use of these drugs through 10 weeks of pregnancy only. The drugs are less effective the farther along you are.

Since you perform a medical abortion on your own, knowing the side effects and potential dangers is crucial. Ask us about what to expect and how to know if you need to seek emergency care.

Surgical Abortion

If your pregnancy is in the first trimester (13 weeks or less), abortion providers may use vacuum or suction aspiration. If your pregnancy is further along, the abortion provider may need to do a dilation and curettage (D&C). This procedure uses suction and a surgical instrument called a curette (a spoon-shaped scraping tool).

A later pregnancy requires a dilation and evacuation (D&E), which uses forceps to remove larger parts of the pregnancy. Your experience may vary depending on the number of weeks you are pregnant, the facility, and the person performing the abortion.

Depending on how far along you are, the abortion provider may need to dilate (open) your cervix. They may also recommend a local or general anesthesia for pain.

Protect Your Health

All abortions have the potential for physical and emotional impacts. Some of the physical risks include heavy and prolonged bleeding, infection, and the potential for an incomplete abortion.

Studies have also indicated a potential connection between mental health issues and abortion. Some women report feeling a sense of loss, sadness, and grief.

Protect your health and well-being by getting an ultrasound exam to learn as much as possible about your pregnancy. We can help answer your questions and discuss your concerns at your appointment. Schedule an appointment to get the facts and have peace of mind.

Guiding Star Wakota does not perform or refer for abortion.