Abortion is a serious medical procedure that will impact your future health and well-being. That is why it’s important for you to have all the information necessary to make the best decision for you and your health.
What Happens During an Abortion?
There are two types of abortion: medical and surgical. Each one is different and is used at different times of pregnancy.
Medical Abortion
Medical abortion uses a series of drugs to end a pregnancy and according to the FDA is only approved to be used in the early stages of pregnancy (up to 10 weeks).
The first drug used is called mifepristone. This drug causes the body to block progesterone. Without this hormone your body cannot support the pregnancy and the embryo detaches from the uterine wall and stops growing.
After this happens the next drug is administered. This drug is called misoprostol and causes your uterus to contract, expelling the pregnancy.
There are known risks and side effects to a medical abortion, which can include:
- Fever
- Infection
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- An ongoing pregnancy (if the abortion pill didn’t work)
- Incomplete abortion (which may need to be followed by a surgical abortion)
- Digestive system discomfort
Surgical Abortion
As the name suggests a surgical abortion is a serious medical procedure that is typically performed later in pregnancy and is required to be done by a licensed doctor.
During a surgical abortion, you are given local anesthesia to minimize any pain or discomfort you may feel. After administering the anesthesia the doctor will dilate your cervix and insert medical tools, including a suction tube, into your uterus to remove the pregnancy and any associated tissue.
Surgical abortion also has well-documented risks and complications that can include:
- Perforation of the uterus (when a surgical tool makes a hole in the uterus)
- Damage to the cervix
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall
- Infection
Getting the Answers You Need
Knowing all the details about your pregnancy, as well as all the options available to you is the best way to protect your health when dealing with an unplanned pregnancy.
A free and confidential pre-abortion screening from Salem Pregnancy Care Center can be a valuable way to get not only facts about your pregnancy but to also get answers to your questions and concerns.
This screening can help you learn the age, viability, and location of your pregnancy—all information that will reveal what options are available to you and empower you to make the best decision for your health and future.
Contact us today to schedule your pre-abortion screening. You deserve to know all the details and options available to you as you decide what is best for your health and future.