Abortion is a serious decision that affects your life forever. You deserve to be fully informed before making up your mind. There are two main types of abortion: medical and surgical. They each come with a unique process and risks. Keep reading to learn what they are and what you need before an abortion.
1. Medical Abortion (The Abortion Pill)
Also known as the abortion pill, medical abortion consists of two drugs that work to terminate an existing pregnancy: mifepristone and misoprostol. This type of abortion is typically done in the first trimester of pregnancy. The FDA only recommends women through 10 weeks of pregnancy for medical abortion.
The Risks of Medical Abortion
According to the Mayo Clinic, the possible risks of medical abortion include the following:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
2. Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortion is a medical procedure that terminates an existing pregnancy by removing the pregnancy from the uterus. The two main types of abortion are aspiration abortion and Dilation & Curettage abortion.
The Risks of Surgical Abortion
Like every major medical procedure, there are major risks involved. Potential surgical abortion risks include:
- Damage to the uterus or cervix
- Uterine perforation (accidentally putting a hole in the uterus with one of the instruments used)
- 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 tissue, requiring another procedure
Confirm Your Pregnancy Details
Before any pregnancy decision, you will first want to confirm your pregnancy details to determine how far along you are, your pregnancy location, and whether your pregnancy is viable. These details can be confirmed through an ultrasound.
Free Pregnancy Services
We provide free, self-administered, medical-grade pregnancy tests that are easy to use and give an accurate test result. Meet in a safe and confidential setting with one of our peer counselors.
At Hands of Hope, we also offer free and confidential limited ultrasounds to women who have a positive pregnancy test result. Schedule a free initial appointment with us today. You are not alone.