If you are thinking about having an abortion, you may be wondering about the different procedures available to you, as well as their side effects and risks.
You deserve to have all of your questions answered by a trusted professional. Your health is important!
Medical Abortion
A medical abortion, otherwise known as the “abortion pill,” involves taking two medications, mifepristone and misoprostol. Mifepristone blocks progesterone and prevents the embryo from implanting in the uterus, while misoprostol causes uterine contractions and expels both the embryo and pregnancy tissue through the vagina.
Misoprostol can be taken at home, but it must be used about 24-48 hours after taking mifepristone.
Side Effects of Medical Abortion
According to the Mayo Clinic, there are some side effects relating to a medical abortion that you should be aware of. These side effects include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Chills
- Fever
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Cramping
- Vaginal bleeding
Risks of Medical Abortion
There are also some risks associated with having a medical abortion. If you are experiencing any of these, it is important that you seek immediate medical attention. These risks 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
A surgical abortion is a more complex procedure and is used when a woman is farther along in her pregnancy. During this procedure, the medical provider uses medical instruments or medication to dilate the cervix. Then, they use a small instrument called a curette or a gentle suctioning technique to remove the pregnancy tissue from the uterus.
There are some side effects of having a surgical abortion, as well as some risks that you’ll want to look out for.
The Mayo Clinic states that these side effects include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Cramping
- Bleedings
- Feeling faint or lightheaded
- Sweating
Some of the risks of having a surgical abortion include:
- Damage to the cervix
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall
- Fever
- Foul-smelling discharge from the vagina
- Perforation of the uterus
- Infection
- Pain that worsens instead of improving
- Bleeding that’s heavy enough that you need to change pads every hour
What if I Have More Questions?
If you have more questions about your pregnancy options or would like to speak with someone about abortion procedures, we are here for you! All of Sound Choices Pregnancy Clinic’s services are free and confidential.
We have licensed medical staff and trained patient advocates ready to help you. You are not alone! Contact us today to schedule an appointment.