If you’re considering abortion, it’s important to understand how each method ends a pregnancy, what your body may experience, and the complications that could require additional medical care.
Hope Women’s Center provides accurate information and no-cost, confidential pregnancy testing. Following a positive pregnancy test at our center, you may qualify for a limited ultrasound to learn more about your pregnancy before making a decision.
Schedule your confidential appointment today.
How a Medical Abortion Works
A medical abortion, also known as the abortion pill, uses two drugs to end a pregnancy.
The first drug, mifepristone, blocks progesterone, a hormone needed for the pregnancy to continue developing. The second drug, misoprostol, is taken 24 to 48 hours later and causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy with cramping and significant bleeding.
The FDA has approved the abortion pill through ten weeks of gestation. Taking these drugs beyond this timeframe could increase the chances of complications.
Side effects of a medical abortion include:
- Vomiting
- Upset stomach
- Fever
- Chills
- Diarrhea
- Headaches
There are also risks to be aware of, such as an incomplete abortion (where pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus), heavy bleeding, and infection. Side effects vary from woman to woman, and some may experience more intense symptoms than others.
How a Surgical Abortion Works
Surgical abortion is an invasive procedure and is performed in a hospital or a clinical setting. During the procedure, the cervix is dilated, or opened, before suction, surgical instruments, or both are used to remove the pregnancy from the uterus.
Side effects of a surgical abortion include cramping and bleeding, and there are risks involved, including uterine perforation (a hole in the uterus), Asherman’s syndrome (where scar tissue builds up in the uterus), infection, and bleeding.
Why Get an Ultrasound First
While a positive pregnancy test confirms the presence of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), it does not provide all the information you need about how your pregnancy is developing.
An ultrasound can provide important information about:
- How far along you are (gestational age)
- Where the pregnancy is located
- Whether the pregnancy appears to be developing
Knowing where the pregnancy is located is particularly important because an ectopic pregnancy can develop outside the uterus and requires medical treatment. Medical abortion does not end an ectopic pregnancy.
An ultrasound can also provide information about whether the pregnancy appears to be progressing or whether a miscarriage may have occurred. A pregnancy test can remain positive for some time after a pregnancy loss because hCG can remain in the body.
Following a positive pregnancy test completed at Hope Women’s Center, you may qualify for a no-cost limited ultrasound to learn more about your pregnancy.
Get Answers at Hope Women’s Center
We know how overwhelming an unexpected pregnancy can feel, and we want you to know that we are here for you during this difficult period.
We provide no-cost pregnancy services to confirm your pregnancy and provide information about all your options, including abortion, adoption, and parenting. We are here to treat you with the respect and compassion you deserve.
Contact us to make your appointment at Hope Women’s Center.
Hope Women’s Center does not provide or refer for abortions.