Knowledge is power. Learn about procedures, side effects, and potential risks. Be empowered with the facts about abortion.
Types of Abortion
There are two main types of abortion: medical and surgical. How far along you are in your pregnancy determines the procedure you have.
Medical Abortion
Medical abortion is the same as the abortion pill. It uses drugs to terminate a pregnancy. The FDA has approved the use of the drugs through the 10th week of pregnancy only.
Other experts suggest not using them past nine weeks. An ultrasound reveals how many weeks you have been pregnant.
Side effects of the abortion pill:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Chills
- Diarrhea
- Headache
Risks of the abortion pill:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
There are restrictions as to who can use the abortion pill method other than how long you’ve been pregnant. You cannot take the abortion pill if you have an IUD in place, have an ectopic pregnancy, or have certain medical conditions.
Surgical Abortion
Abortion providers perform surgical abortions in a clinic or hospital. Once again, how far along you are in your pregnancy determines the type of surgery you have. If your pregnancy is in the first trimester (12 weeks or less), you could have a suction or vacuum aspiration.
Later pregnancies require the addition of surgical instruments such as a curette (a sharp, scraping tool) or forceps to remove larger parts of the pregnancy. Many providers refer to the procedure as dilation and curettage (D & C).
Side effects of surgical abortion:
- Bleeding
- Cramping
Risks of surgical abortion:
- Uterine perforation (a small tear in your uterus) may happen if the tip of the curette passes through your uterine wall.
- Uterine infection
- Uterine bleeding
Other potential risks:
- Abdominal (belly) pain
- Fever
- Heavy bleeding
- Severe cramps
- Unusual or bad-smelling discharge, the fluid that leaks from your vagina
Before Your Abortion
You want to confirm your pregnancy before an abortion. Confirmation includes a positive pregnancy test and a limited ultrasound. The ultrasound can detect how far along you are, if your pregnancy is developing, and where it is located.
After taking a free pregnancy test at First Choice Pregnancy Center, we can schedule you for a free limited obstetrical ultrasound.
First Choice Pregnancy Center does not perform or refer for abortions, but can provide accurate, factual abortion information.
The First Choice Difference
If you're facing an unexpected pregnancy and don't know where to turn, come to First Choice. We specialize in providing free and confidential medical services to get you the answers you need. There's no pressure, manipulation, judgment, or lectures. Just pure, honest, factual information. We care about you and your future. Trust First Choice.
