An abortion is ending a progressing pregnancy intentionally.
There are two types of abortion: medical (also known as the “abortion pill”) and surgical. While medical abortion uses drugs to end a pregnancy, surgical abortion uses a surgical procedure. Read on to learn more.
Medical Abortion (The Abortion Pill)
Days or hours later, the second drug, misoprostol, is taken. This drug causes the uterus to contract, expelling the pregnancy and related tissue from your uterus.
After taking these drugs, you will experience vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping. Some women have reported that the pain is unexpectedly severe, but it varies.
There are risks to consider before choosing a medical abortion, which include:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by a surgical procedure
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
Since these abortion drugs are taken at home, it’s essential to be aware of the signs that you may be experiencing a complication, such as:
- Heavy bleeding — soaking two or more pads an hour for two hours
- Severe abdominal or back pain
- Fever lasting more than 24 hours
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortions are performed in a clinic or a hospital setting by an abortion provider.
During a surgical abortion, the cervix is dilated so that surgical instruments (like scraping tools, suction, and forceps) can enter the uterus to terminate and remove the pregnancy.
The potential risks of a surgical abortion can include:
- Perforation of the uterus (which is when one of the surgical instruments pokes a hole in your uterus)
- Damage to the cervix
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall
- Infection
After the procedure, it’s vital to be aware of the signs and symptoms of a complication. These can include:
- Bleeding that soaks through 2 pads every hour
- Lasting dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fever
- Cramps lasting more than 48 hours
- Pain that gets worse instead of better
- Foul-smelling discharge from the vagina
Next Steps
Are you thinking about abortion? Getting an ultrasound and having your questions answered are critical first steps.
We’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule your free, confidential ultrasound referral and Options Consultation appointment. You’re not alone in this. We’re here for you.
