Having an abortion is a serious medical decision with physical and emotional risks. It’s vital to have information about abortion procedures, the side effects to expect, and the potential consequences.
The Facts About Abortion
Very few women share their abortion experiences. They fear condemnation, judgment, or rejection. As a result, the consequences of an abortion aren’t discussed openly.
However, when you do read about someone’s abortion experience, they often talk about things the abortion provider didn’t prepare them for. Perhaps they didn’t discuss the amount of bleeding or pain to expect, or how to deal with the emotional aftermath.
At Alpha Women’s Center, we want you to understand this option thoroughly. Although we do not perform or refer for abortion, we are committed to giving you factual, medically based information.
Two Types of Abortion Procedures
The two types of abortion are medical and surgical. The types of methods available are based on how far along you are in your pregnancy. Let’s take a closer look.
Medical Abortion (aka the Abortion Pill Method)
The abortion pill method is a medical, medication, or chemical abortion because you take two drugs to end a pregnancy. The first drug, mifepristone, blocks progesterone, which causes the lining of the uterus to thin. Without progesterone, the pregnancy cannot survive.
The second drug, misoprostol, causes vaginal bleeding and contractions to expel the pregnancy and tissue from the uterus. The FDA highly regulates mifepristone. Only certified providers can prescribe it, and it’s only approved for use through 10 weeks of pregnancy.
Understanding the Risks of the Abortion Pill
The risks of using the abortion pill method include the following:
- An incomplete abortion. The body does not release all pregnancy tissue, which may require a surgical procedure.
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work.
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding.
- Infection.
- Fever.
- Digestive symptoms such as an upset stomach.
Surgical Abortion
Abortion providers perform surgical abortions in a clinic or hospital. How far along you are in your pregnancy determines the type of surgery. Early pregnancies require vacuum or suction aspiration. Later pregnancies may require surgical instruments, including a curette (a spoon-shaped scraping or suction tool) or forceps to remove larger parts.
Understanding the Risks of a Surgical Procedure
The risks of a surgical procedure include the following:
- Uterine perforation. (A tear or hole is poked through the uterine wall while using surgical instruments)
- Infection.
- Bleeding.
- Asherman’s syndrome. (Scar tissue forms in your uterus)
Other Symptoms to Be Aware Of
Although every woman’s pain tolerance is different, some women report extreme pain when using the abortion pill method. Abortion providers may not prepare women for the blood clots they may see, and some women report feeling guilt, sadness, and anxiety in the weeks, months, or years following their abortions.
Schedule an appointment to talk with us about abortion. Because you take the abortion pill regimen at home, you need to know how much bleeding or pain is too much.
We can help you get the information you need.
