Abortion talk has been in the news a lot within the last couple of months. Many platforms have discussed the laws and legislature of abortion, but what about the actual procedures?
Women desiring to end their pregnancy have a couple of options available; however, all options come with side effects that should be considered before moving forward.
Knowledge is power. We’ve done the research for you and outlined the abortion options available and highlighted the risks of each. Educating yourself on these risks will allow you to choose the best option for your current situation.
What Is a Medical Abortion?
Medical abortions use two different drugs in pill form to terminate a pregnancy. Commonly known as the abortion pill, a medical abortion begins with a dose of the first drug prescribed, mifepristone. Pregnant women produce increased amounts of the hormone progesterone. Mifepristone blocks the production of progesterone which doesn’t allow the pregnancy to remain attached to the uterus and grow.
Within 24-48 hours, a dose of misoprostol is given to complete the process. Misoprostol causes the uterus to contract which expels the pregnancy. Your healthcare provider will typically have you schedule an appointment after you pass the pregnancy to be sure nothing is left behind in the uterus.
Risks to Consider
While a medical abortion seems simple, these drugs can create a wide range of side effects from mild to life-threatening. They include the following:
- Incomplete abortion, which may require additional procedures
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection or sepsis
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
How Are Surgical Abortions Performed?
A surgical abortion is typically done when a woman is more than 9 weeks pregnant. While there are a few different types of surgical abortions, each begins by dilating the cervix. The pregnancy is then removed using either a vacuum or forceps.
Risks and Side Effects
Severe side effects with surgical abortions are rare, but preparing for all possibilities will serve you best. Risks following a surgical abortion include:
- Perforation of the uterus
- Damage to the cervix.
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall; is a condition known as Asherman’s syndrome.
- Infection
What’s the Best Option for You?
At Options Medical Clinic, we prioritize confidentiality and education. Our goal is to equip women with the facts about abortion and other pregnancy options, including parenting and adoption so that they can make the best decision for their lives.
Appointments are simple and straightforward. Text us at 770.874.2031 and see how we can help you think through and plan your next steps. You need not face this alone!