There are two general categories of abortion: medical and surgical. A medical abortion (the abortion pill) terminates a pregnancy with drugs, while a surgical abortion is more invasive and uses tools and suction to end and remove a pregnancy.
If you’re thinking about having an abortion, make sure that you’re informed by understanding the side effects and risks. You’ll also want to protect your health with an ultrasound and STI testing to reduce your chance of preventable risks.
You can schedule a free and confidential appointment at Brazos Pregnancy Center to safeguard your health and talk in a safe space.
Medical Abortion (The Abortion Pill)
Medical abortion is only FDA-approved through 10 weeks of pregnancy and uses two drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol.
Mifepristone blocks the hormone progesterone to end a pregnancy. Then, misoprostol causes the uterus to contract to expel the pregnancy through abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding.
In addition to cramping and vaginal bleeding, other side effects include fever, chills, vomiting, headache, upset stomach, and diarrhea.
Risks are the chance of a complication occurring. These include heavy and prolonged bleeding, infection, fever, incomplete abortion, and digestive system discomfort.
There are warning signs to note when considering this procedure. For instance, if you have a blood clot larger than the size of a lemon, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, or filling two or more pads an hour for two hours, you need to seek medical help or go to the emergency room.
Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortion typically takes place later in pregnancy. There are a few different types, but all of them include dilating (opening) the cervix, then removing the pregnancy with either suction, surgical tools like forceps, or both.
The side effects include light bleeding or spotting and mild cramping for a few days after the procedure.
Because the abortion provider uses sharp tools, the risks include poking a hole in you uterus (uterine perforation), damage to the cervix, and scar tissue on the uterine wall (Asherman’s syndrome). There’s also a risk of infection.
Sometimes local anesthesia or full sedation is used during this procedure. These come with even greater risks.
Protect Your Health and Safety
When considering an abortion, make sure to understand the procedures and risks and take safety precautions.
You can protect your health and safety by scheduling an appointment at Brazos Pregnancy Center. We can confirm your pregnancy with an ultrasound and STI testing. Schedule your free and confidential appointment today.
*All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.
**Brazos Pregnancy Center does not provide or refer for abortion.