August 10, 2026 Both the abortion pill and surgical abortion have immediate physical effects and can lead to complications requiring emergency care or additional medical procedures. The potential severity of these complications should not be minimized. The Legacy Center of Mount Airy offers free lab-quality pregnancy testing and limited ultrasound referrals to help you get important medical information before making a pregnancy decision. You do not need to figure this out on your own. Schedule an appointment at our center today and receive the compassionate care you deserve from our team. The Physical Effects of a Medical Abortion A medical abortion, commonly known as the abortion pill, involves two drugs despite its singular name. This abortion method is approved by the FDA through ten weeks of gestation. The first drug, mifepristone, blocks progesterone, the hormone needed to support a pregnancy. The second drug, misoprostol, is taken 24 to 48 hours later and causes the uterus to contract, resulting in significant cramping and bleeding as the pregnancy tissue passes from the body. Some women report that the cramping and bleeding are more severe than they expected. Other side effects to expect are nausea, diarrhea, fever, headaches, and passing blood clots. Possible risks of a medical abortion include an incomplete abortion, infection, and heavy and prolonged bleeding. Additional medical follow-up may be needed to remove the remaining pregnancy tissue if you have an incomplete abortion. The Physical Effects of a Surgical Abortion Surgical abortion is an invasive procedure performed in a medical setting using suction or instruments to remove the pregnancy from the uterus. Side effects of a surgical abortion include heavy cramping and bleeding. There are also risks to be aware of, including uterine perforation (a tear in your uterus), infection, and scar tissue formation in the uterus, also known as Asherman’s syndrome. Why an Ultrasound is Important Before making a pregnancy decision, getting an ultrasound is an important step because it provides medical information that can protect your health and affect your options. An ultrasound can determine how far along you are, where the pregnancy is located, and whether the pregnancy appears to be developing (viable). Knowing the location of the pregnancy, for example, can tell you if you are having an ectopic pregnancy, where the pregnancy implants outside of the uterus. An ectopic pregnancy cannot be treated with the abortion pill and requires immediate medical attention. Around 10–20% of pregnancies also end in a natural miscarriage; it is possible to receive a positive pregnancy test despite having miscarried. An ultrasound will be able to show if there is a fetal heartbeat and if additional medical care may be needed. We provide free limited ultrasound referrals at our center. We Are Here For You We know how overwhelmed you may feel when facing an unexpected pregnancy. Taking time to slow down, learn important medical details about your pregnancy through an ultrasound, and understand all your options can help you feel more confident moving forward. The Legacy Center of Mount Airy provides option consultation appointments along with our free pregnancy services. In this appointment, we will answer any of your questions and provide medically accurate information about your options: parenting, adoption, and abortion. Contact us to make an appointment. The Legacy Center of Mount Airy does not provide or refer for abortions.
