Are you considering an abortion for your unplanned pregnancy? If so, get the facts about abortion procedures, side effects, and potential risks first. Abortion procedures have various emotional and physical health risks, such as incomplete abortion, infection, extreme depression, etc.
What Is The Abortion Pill Method?
Medical or chemical abortion is also called the abortion pill method. The FDA has approved the use of the abortion pill through the first ten weeks of a woman’s pregnancy only (70 days after the first day of a woman’s last menstrual period).
It is a two-drug regimen taken over a 24 to 48-hour period. Side effects of all abortions include bleeding and cramping, but you may also experience nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, and diarrhea.
Risks:
The Mayo Clinic lists the following as potential risks of the abortion pill:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
What Is Surgical Abortion?
Various surgical abortion procedures depend on how far along you are in your pregnancy. Abortion providers often use Vacuum Aspiration for early pregnancies. Later-term pregnancies use suction, sharp surgical scraping instruments, and possibly forceps for termination.
Risks:
The Mayo Clinic lists the following as potential risks of surgical abortion:
- Perforation of the uterus
- Damage to the cervix
- Heavy bleeding
- Cramping
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall
- Infection
In a study by The National Institutes of Health regarding the mental health effects of abortion, they reported, “…abortion is consistently associated with elevated rates of mental illness compared to women without a history of abortion.” The study also concluded “… the abortion experience directly contributes to mental health problems for at least some women.”
Before An Abortion
Take a no-cost lab-quality pregnancy test at Willowbrook Women’s Center. Even if you’ve taken a home pregnancy test, getting a second opinion is essential. Next, you need an ultrasound scan.
Ultrasound tells you the following:
- How far along you are in your pregnancy to determine the abortion procedure
- The location of the pregnancy to detect an ectopic pregnancy
- If your pregnancy is viable (growing with a detectable heartbeat) or if you’ve had a miscarriage. Research estimates as many as 26% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage.
Contact Willowbrook to find out how you can get a no-cost pre-abortion ultrasound. Be prepared. Learn as much about your pregnancy as possible before you travel for an abortion.
Make an appointment with us first. We have two convenient locations to serve you, and we’ll help you get the information you need.
