Learning that you are unexpectedly pregnant can make you feel like your world has been turned upside down. You may be looking into your options, abortion being one of them, and are trying to understand how the process works and what risks might be involved.
Before making a pregnancy decision, confirming your pregnancy with an ultrasound is important to protect your health. Attleboro Women’s Health offers free and confidential pregnancy testing, limited ultrasounds, and pregnancy consultations to inform you about your options.
Contact us to make an appointment today.
Medical Abortion: How It Works
The abortion pill (a medical abortion) is FDA-approved for use through ten weeks of gestation. It involves two drugs taken in sequence.
The first drug, mifepristone, blocks the hormone progesterone, which is needed to maintain the pregnancy. The second drug, misoprostol, is taken one to two days after and causes the uterus to contract, expelling the pregnancy tissue through cramping and bleeding.
Common side effects can include an upset stomach, vomiting, fever, chills, diarrhea, and headaches. There are also potential risks to be aware of, such as heavy bleeding, infection, and an incomplete abortion.
Surgical Abortion: How It Works
A surgical abortion is performed in a clinical setting and involves removing the pregnancy from the uterus using suction and/or surgical instruments such as a curette.
Side effects of a surgical abortion include cramping and bleeding, and risks include uterine perforation, infection, bleeding, and Asherman’s Syndrome, which is where scar tissue builds up in the uterus.
Why Ultrasound Details Matter
Having an ultrasound before making a pregnancy decision can provide important information about your health and pregnancy.
An ultrasound will be able to tell you the location of the pregnancy, how far along the pregnancy is, and whether the pregnancy appears to be developing. These details can show whether you could be having an ectopic pregnancy, which is where the pregnancy implants outside of the uterus and needs urgent medical attention.
An ultrasound can also identify whether a pregnancy may have already ended in miscarriage, since pregnancy tests can remain positive for a period of time after pregnancy loss due to the elevated levels of hCG.
Get Clarity at Attleboro Women’s Health
You deserve accurate information about your pregnancy and your options. During a pregnancy consultation appointment, we will give you information about your three options: parenting, adoption, and abortion.
We are here to support you, whether you need our free pregnancy services to confirm your pregnancy or someone to talk to confidentially. Make an appointment to get the care you deserve.