Are You Thinking About Abortion?
Abortion is not just a simple medical procedure. It is a serious life-changing decision with many side effects and potential risks. Before you schedule an abortion, learn as much as possible to see if this is the right option. We provide accurate information regarding abortion and answer any questions you may have.
What Are The Types of Abortion?
There are two types of abortion, medical and surgical. Each of them has some different side effects and risks. How far along you are in your pregnancy (the gestational age) may determine your abortion method.
Medical Abortion
The abortion pill method (also known as RU 486) is a medical abortion because you take two drugs to terminate your pregnancy. The FDA only approves this method through 70 days of gestation (70 days or less from the first day of a woman’s last menstrual period).
You take the first drug, mifepristone, to block the hormone progesterone. Every pregnancy requires progesterone, so without it, the pregnancy cannot continue to grow.
The second drug, misoprostol, causes the uterus to contract to expel the pregnancy. A final follow-up visit with the abortion provider must confirm if the procedure was successful.
Surgical Abortion
The most common surgical abortion procedure is Suction Curettage, also known as Vacuum Aspiration. Because the pregnancy is larger, the abortion provider must first stretch open (dilate) the cervix.
Opening the cervix may be painful, so local or general anesthesia is typically needed. After dilating the cervix, the abortion provider inserts a tube and connects it to a suction machine. The provider may also use a loop-shaped knife called a curette to scrape the pregnancy out of the uterus.
Dilation and evacuation (D & E) takes place during the second trimester. In this procedure, the abortion provider opens the cervix wider than in a first-trimester abortion.
Once dilated, the abortion provider pulls out the pregnancy with forceps. A sharp tool (called a curette) scrapes out the contents of the uterus, removing any remaining tissue.
We offer accurate information about all your pregnancy options; however, we do not offer or refer for abortion services. The information presented on this website is intended for general education purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional and/or medical advice.