Two Types of Abortion
There are two types of abortion procedures: medical and surgical. How far along you are in your pregnancy usually determines which procedure you qualify for.
Medical Abortion
A medical abortion has several different names. It can be called a medication or chemical abortion. It is also called the abortion pill method because it uses drugs to end a pregnancy.
The first drug, mifepristone, blocks the hormone progesterone from reaching the pregnancy. Without progesterone, a pregnancy cannot survive. Misoprostol, the second drug, causes bleeding and contractions to expel the pregnancy and tissue from the body.
The FDA approves the use of these drugs through 10 weeks of pregnancy only.
According to the Mayo Clinic, you may experience the following side effects after taking the two drugs:
- Upset stomach
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Chills
- Diarrhea
- Headache
Some potential risks include the following:
- The body does not release all the pregnancy tissue (this is known as an incomplete abortion)
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
Surgical Abortion
Providers perform surgical procedures in an abortion facility. How far along you are in your pregnancy determines the surgical procedure you have.
If you are in your first trimester (13 weeks or under), your provider will perform vacuum or suction aspiration. Later pregnancies require a scraping instrument called a curette to scrape the uterine wall or forceps to remove larger parts.
A surgical procedure may require dilating (opening) the cervix. Pain management may also require general or local anesthesia.
Some of the side effects include the following:
- Bleeding
- Cramping
- Possible nausea from the anesthesia
Potential risks of a surgical abortion:
- Perforation of the uterus (poking a hole)
- Damage to the cervix
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall
- Infection
The Effect of Abortion on Mental Health
Most women report feeling relief immediately following their abortion. However, some women begin struggling with their mental health within weeks, months, or years.
One study determined the following:
- Abortion is consistently associated with elevated rates of mental illness compared to women without a history of abortion.
- The abortion experience directly contributes to mental health problems for at least some women.
- There are risk factors, such as pre-existing mental illness, that identify women at greatest risk of mental health problems after an abortion.
Before Your Abortion
We strongly encourage you to speak with your healthcare provider before scheduling an abortion. You should review your current physical health, medications, and your feelings about abortion.
Getting an ultrasound confirms how far along you are in your pregnancy to determine the abortion procedure. You also learn if your pregnancy is in the correct location and if it’s developing, or if you’ve had a miscarriage.
We offer a no-cost ultrasound after you receive a positive pregnancy test at our center. Schedule a pregnancy testing appointment today.
LIFE Center does not perform or refer for abortion.
