Is Abortion for Me?
An unplanned pregnancy is hard and it comes with many decisions in the process. To come to a confident pregnancy decision, you deserve to know the facts about abortion. If you are thinking of abortion, you will want to understand the risks involved. Many women experience both emotional and physical effects after abortion.
We know you probably feel pressure to make a decision, maybe from your partner, parents, or other external pressures. You are not alone and you’re the only one who can make the final decision. Find free and confidential support from our team at Care Net Pregnancy Center today.
The Types Of Abortion
Medical Abortion (The Abortion Pill)
Only women 10 weeks pregnant or earlier are eligible for medical abortion, also known as the abortion pill. Two different drugs – Mifepristone and Misoprostol are taken to terminate an existing pregnancy. These drugs are taken within 24-48 hours and normally inside a medical clinic.
First, Mifepristone blocks the womb from absorbing progesterone – a pregnancy hormone. Then the lining of the uterus thins and this prevents the embryo from staying implanted or growing. Secondly, Misoprostol is taken to cause the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy through the vagina. Follow-up with a medical professional is necessary afterward to make sure the abortion was completed.
Risks Of Medical Abortion
- Incomplete abortion – may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- An ongoing unwanted pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Digestive system discomfort
- Infection
- Fever
Surgical Abortion
A surgical abortion ends an existing pregnancy by removing the fetus and placenta from the womb (uterus). It’s a lot more invasive than a medical abortion and is performed at an abortion clinic.
There are two main types of surgical abortion: Dilation & Evacuation (D&E) and Dilation & Curettage (D&C). Each procedure works to dilate the cervix while using a suction device and other surgical tools to remove the pregnancy from the uterus.
A Dilation & Curettage abortion is typically performed earlier in a pregnancy than a D&E abortion. A Dilation & Evacuation abortion requires more tools, such as forceps, to remove larger pieces of pregnancy tissue.
Risks of Surgical Abortion
Each type of surgical abortion uses a similar process to end a pregnancy, which comes with similar risks, including…
- Perforation of the uterus, or when a surgical instrument pokes a hole in the uterus
- Damage to the cervix
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall
- Infection
Is Abortion Legal in Texas?
Currently, abortion is banned in Texas with no exceptions for rape or incest. A trigger law in effect since August 25, 2022 banned nearly all abortions in Texas except to save the life of the mother. This is the only exception presently allowed in the state.
Your Pregnancy Options
Confirm your pregnancy today to learn if you’re eligible for abortion. Receive free lab-quality pregnancy testing and an ultrasound at our center. Learn if you have any complications, including an ectopic pregnancy (where the pregnancy is growing outside the uterus). This would disqualify you from receiving an abortion.
The only way to know what type of abortion you qualify for is to confirm the viability, location, and gestational age of your pregnancy with an ultrasound.
Contact us today for a free pregnancy confirmation appointment.