Thinking about abortion?
Many women have questions about the abortion pill and other abortion procedures.
- How far along can I be to take the abortion pill?
- If I take the abortion pill, will it be painful?
- Will I see the baby?
- Can I change my mind after the first abortion pill?
- How long will I bleed after my abortion?
- What if I’m too far along or don’t want the abortion pill?
These are important questions to have answered so that you can make an empowered and confident decision. You owe it to yourself to get accurate information from one of our experienced CareTeam members. Same-day appointments may be available.
Have You Confirmed Your pregnancy?
Even if you’ve taken a home pregnancy test, you need more information. It’s critical to confirm that your pregnancy is viable (growing inside the uterus with a detectable heartbeat) with an ultrasound.
Why Is It Important To Confirm Your Pregnancy If You Want An Abortion?
Some pregnancies may end naturally in miscarriage, but it is important for your health and safety to make sure that you don’t have an ectopic pregnancy or active sexually transmitted infection. Both of these can cause life-threatening outcomes that could jeopardize your future reproductive health. Your reproductive health should be top priority.
Types of Abortion
There are two main methods of abortion: medication and surgical. How far along you are in your pregnancy determines the method an abortion provider uses.
Knowing how many weeks you’ve been pregnant (gestational age) is vital. Find out with a free limited ultrasound from our center.
Medication Abortion
A medication abortion, otherwise known as the abortion pill abortion procedure, is a chemical abortion through 70 days gestation or 10 weeks (70 days or less since the first day of a woman’s last menstrual period). This method will cause you to pass the pregnancy at home. Ask the clinic for emergency protocol.
Side Effects
- Bleeding with large blood clots (up to the size of a lemon)
- Cramping
- Nausea
- Weakness
- Fever and chills
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
Potential Risks
- Incomplete abortion
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding (up to 8 weeks or more)
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
Surgical Abortion
You can opt for a surgical abortion, especially if your pregnancy is past the 70-day FDA deadline. Abortion providers use surgical abortions for later-term abortions, as well.
Vacuum Aspiration
- Performed up to 13 weeks of pregnancy
- Often requires a local anesthetic injected into or near the cervix
- The provider may need to stretch the cervix to insert the vacuum tube
- The vacuum tube suctions out the fetus and placenta
- Bleeding may occur for four weeks or more
- Ask the clinic for emergency protocol
Dilation and curettage (D & C)
- Includes the above actions but is followed by a procedure to scrape the walls of the uterus
Dilation and Evacuation (D & E)
- Performed in weeks 13-24 of pregnancy
- It may require two to three doctor’s office visits
- Laminaria (seaweed) sticks and/or medication are placed into the cervix, slowly opening the cervix over several hours or up to two days
- The provider may give intravenous medications to help with pain and prevent infection
- Forceps, scraping, and suction curettage remove the fetus and placenta
- Bleeding may occur for up to 4 weeks or more
- Ask the clinic for their emergency protocol
Side Effects
- Bleeding
- Spotting
- Cramping
- Breast pain
- Nausea
- Dizziness
Potential Risks
- Damage to cervix
- Scar tissue on the wall of the uterus
- Puncturing of the uterus
- Infection
Emotional Side Effects of Abortion
Many women report feeling relieved immediately following their abortion. As time goes on, some women report adverse emotional side effects. These include:
- Guilt
- Anxiety
- Sadness
- Regret
- Anger
- Difficulty sleeping
- Depression
How Can We Help?
Abortion is a difficult decision, but our Care Team will provide the necessary information and answer all your questions. The decision is yours and yours alone.
Make a free and confidential appointment today to talk about abortion and your other options. We are here for you.