If you are considering an abortion, know that you are not alone as you navigate this unplanned pregnancy. We know how many questions may be running through your mind, and we are here to help answer them. There are two types of abortions: medical and surgical.
Multiple factors, including gestational age and your current state of health, determine what option is available to you.
1. Medical Abortion
Also known as ‘the abortion pill,’ ‘chemical abortion,’ or ‘home abortion,’ medical abortion is the process of terminating a pregnancy through two types of drugs.
The first drug, mifepristone, works to block a vital pregnancy hormone called progesterone. Blocking this hormone causes the uterine walls to thin and shed, preventing the embryo from staying implanted.
Second, misoprostol is taken, which causes the uterus to contract and expel the embryo and pregnancy tissue through the vagina. c
Common risks that are involved in the medical abortion process include:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Digestive system discomfort
- Infection
- Fever
Talking with a medical professional you trust before proceeding with this abortion procedure is important. You owe it to yourself to know where your health stands beforehand.
2. Surgical Abortion
There are two types of surgical abortion procedures: dilation and curettage (D&C) and dilation and evacuation (D&E).
A dilation and curettage (D&C) is completed during the first trimester of pregnancy and uses small instruments or medication to dilate the cervix. Then a curettage or suction device is used to remove uterine tissue.
Dilation and evacuation (D&E) is completed in the second trimester of pregnancy, which generally involves a vacuum aspiration, D&C, and surgical instruments.
Some of the common risks involved with these invasive surgical abortion procedures include the following:
- Uterine perforation
- Infection
- Injury to the cervix
Get More Information
Still have questions about abortion? To determine your next steps, first confirm your pregnancy with free pregnancy testing and an ultrasound and receive more education on all your options at our center.
At Grace Women’s Care Center, we are here to support you and help you move forward. Talk to us today to learn what’s your next step.