If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and considering abortion, you may be wondering how abortion works.
There are two different types of abortion, medical and surgical, and while the methods are different, both act to terminate an otherwise viable pregnancy.
Keep reading to learn more about how medical and surgical abortion work, risks and side effects that you need to be aware of, and how to get the information you need to make the best decision for your health and future.
Types of Abortion and How They Work
Medical Abortion
Medical abortion, also called the abortion pill, uses a series of drugs to terminate a pregnancy in the 1st trimester (first 10 weeks).
The first drug, mifepristone, acts by thinning the lining of your uterine wall, causing the fertilized egg to detach and stop growing.
Misoprostol is then used, which causes your uterus to contract, expelling the pregnancy from your body through the vagina.
Risks and Limitations of Medical Abortion
There are risks to medical abortion that you need to be aware of, as well as limitations that may make you ineligible for a medical abortion.
Risks of medical abortion are not limited to, but can include:
- An incomplete abortion, which may require a follow-up surgical procedure
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive discomfort
Factors that can make you ineligible for a medical abortion include pregnancy older than 10 weeks, having an IUD, or preexisting medical conditions.
Confirming the age of your pregnancy with an ultrasound scan and consulting a medical professional is vitally important before pursuing a medical abortion.
Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortion is commonly used to terminate an abortion that is more than 10 weeks old.
During a surgical abortion, your cervix is dilated (opened) using drugs or surgical tools. A doctor will then insert medical tools and a suction device through the birth canal into your uterus to remove the pregnancy and any related tissue.
Surgical abortion is an invasive medical procedure that requires some form of general or local anesthesia to be administered to you.
Health Risks of Surgical Abortion
Just as with medical abortion, there are specific health risks you may face during and after a surgical abortion.
These health risks include:
- Perforation of the uterus
- Damage to the cervix
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall (which could lead to infertility)
- Infection
Getting the Information and Help You Need
If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and considering abortion, it’s imperative to get all the information you can about your pregnancy to protect your health.
New Beginnings Pregnancy Center is here to help. We provide free pregnancy test confirmation as well as a follow-up ultrasound scan to determine the age of your pregnancy and provide you with other valuable information about your pregnancy.
Contact us today to schedule your free and confidential appointment.