If you’re pregnant and considering abortion, it is vital to understand the two types of abortion and their potential health impacts. While abortion may seem like a standard medical procedure, there can be serious health consequences.
Continue reading to learn more about medical and surgical abortion so that you can make an informed decision that is best for your health and future.
Medical Abortion
Medical abortion is typically the method of termination used in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. You may have heard medical abortion referred to as the “abortion pill.” The abortion pill consists of two drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol, that work together to terminate a pregnancy.
Mifepristone is administered first and works by blocking the hormone progesterone. Progesterone must be at adequate levels to sustain a healthy pregnancy, so when progesterone decreases, the pregnancy detaches from the lining of the uterus and stops growing.
Misoprostol is administered next and creates uterine contractions, which lead to the expulsion of the pregnancy through the vagina.
While just two pills may seem that they would not cause much harm, complications can arise following a medical abortion.
Potential risks of medical abortion include:
- The body not releasing all pregnancy tissue in the uterus, also called an incomplete abortion. This may require surgical abortion.
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work.
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding.
- Infection.
- Fever.
- Digestive symptoms such as upset stomach.
Seek medical help immediately if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- Soaking more than two pads per hour for two hours
- Severe abdominal or pelvic pain
- Elevated heart rate
- Chills or body aches
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Fever for more than four hours or begins after taking misoprostol
Surgical Abortion
A surgical abortion is the termination method of choice when a woman does not qualify for a medical abortion.
During a surgical abortion, the surgeon begins by dilating the woman’s cervix with either medication or a surgical instrument and proceeds to scrape or suction the pregnancy tissue from the uterus.
Potential complications of surgical abortion include:
- Perforation of the uterus by a surgical instrument
- Tearing of the cervix
- Development of uterine scar tissue, which can lead to infertility
- Infection
Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Bleeding that requires changing your pads hourly
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Worsening pain
- Cramping for more than 48 hours
- Fever
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
Learn More About Your Options
Abortion is a serious medical decision that should not be taken lightly. While the weight of this decision can feel extremely overwhelming, you don’t have to walk this journey alone.
New Beginnings Pregnancy Center is here to help you navigate your next steps.
We provide free lab-quality pregnancy testing and limited ultrasounds that will help you learn more about your pregnancy and your options so that you can make an informed decision.
Our trusted staff is here to listen to your concerns and answer any questions.
Contact us today for your confidential appointment.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.