It’s important to consider the risks of abortion that come with each type of abortion procedure. You owe it to yourself to learn the facts before making a final decision.
Incomplete abortion, infection, and heavy, prolonged bleeding are all potential risks of abortion. Medical attention is necessary if you experience any of these adverse reactions. This blog will discuss more about how abortion works and the risks.
Types of Abortion Procedures
The type of abortion procedure you receive is often determined by how far along you are in your pregnancy. The only way to confirm this is with an ultrasound. Get a free ultrasound at our center today to clarify your pregnancy options.
Medical Abortion (“The Abortion Pill”)
Often referred to as “The Abortion Pill,” medical abortion involves taking a set of drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol.
First, mifepristone blocks the womb from absorbing progesterone and ultimately ends a pregnancy by preventing the embryo from implanting or growing. Next, misoprostol causes the uterus to have labor-like contractions, releasing the pregnancy through the vagina.
Risks of medical abortion include:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by a surgical abortion
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Digestive system discomfort
- Infection
- Fever
Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortion is a procedure that ends a pregnancy by removing the fetus and placenta from the uterus. This procedure involves dilating the cervix and using suction to remove the fetus and related pregnancy contents from the uterus.
Risks of surgical abortion include:
- Damage to the womb or cervix
- Uterine perforation
- Excessive bleeding
- Infection of the uterus or fallopian tubes
- Scarring of the inside of the uterus
- Reaction to the medicines or anesthesia, such as problems breathing
- Not removing all of the pregnancy tissue which may require another procedure
Your Next Steps
If you believe you’re pregnant, what should you do next? First, confirm your pregnancy details by taking a lab-grade pregnancy test and ultrasound at our center. We offer free and confidential pregnancy services so you can confidently move forward.
An ultrasound will help you determine if you have a viable pregnancy (healthy and growing), and confirm the location of your pregnancy and how far along you are.
Schedule an appointment to confirm your pregnancy and talk confidentially in a non-judgmental environment today.
Reference: Medical abortion – Doctors & Departments – Mayo Clinic and Abortion Care | ACOG