There are two main types of abortion: medical and surgical. The type of abortion available to you depends on the gestational age of your pregnancy—and both types of abortion come with risks you need to be aware of.

Read on to learn more about how the different types of abortion work and the risks you need to be aware of. Or, if you want to talk to someone about abortion and your other pregnancy options, schedule a no-cost confidential appointment today.

Medical Abortion

Medical abortion, also referred to as the “abortion pill,” is a combination of two powerful drugs that are taken at home. These drugs work together to terminate and expel a pregnancy through the uterus and out the vagina.

After taking these drugs, you will experience abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding. However, you might also experience risks to your physical health. Although rare, these risks can be life-threatening and include:

• Incomplete abortion, which is when parts of the terminated pregnancy remain in your uterus
• An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
• Heavy and prolonged bleeding
• Infection
• Fever
• Digestive system discomfort

The abortion drugs are only FDA-approved if your pregnancy is ten weeks gestation or younger. If you attempt to take these drugs when your pregnancy is further along, you’re more likely to experience a risk to your physical health.

Surgical Abortion

Surgical abortion is performed in a clinic. This procedure involves dilating your cervix so that medical instruments can enter your uterus to remove the pregnancy. Depending on the gestational age of your pregnancy, a surgical abortion can include the use of forceps, suction, or scraping tools to remove your pregnancy.

The following risks are associated with surgical abortion:

• Uterine perforation (this happens when one of the surgical instruments pokes a hole in your uterus)
• Cervical damage or scarring
• Infection

How to Protect Your health

Getting an ultrasound before seeking an abortion is a critical way to protect your health. This scan can help reveal the following details about your pregnancy:

• Gestational Age: This key detail is needed before seeking an abortion, as it will determine what options are available.
• Location: This will rule out a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy, which is when your pregnancy develops outside the uterus. If you’re experiencing one, you will need emergency medical treatment.
• Viability: Roughly 26% of pregnancies end in miscarriage. If you’ve experienced one, you will need medical oversight to ensure you don’t face complications.

Next Steps

You’re not alone in this. We’re here for you. Contact us today to learn more about your pregnancy options and to receive a no-cost ultrasound.