An abortion is a major life-changing medical decision with several physical and emotional risks. Talking about it is vital to understanding how it can affect your health. At Hope Women’s Center, we believe in talking openly about every woman’s unique situation and each option, including abortion.
We don’t judge, pressure you, or make up horror stories. We just discuss your options objectively and let you decide what’s best. All of our services and conversations are confidential and cost you nothing. Make your appointment today.
What Do I Need to Know About Abortion?
Despite what you hear, having an abortion does have the potential for serious consequences. Here are some things you may want to consider first.
Certain Conditions Make the Abortion Pill Unsafe
Consulting with your healthcare provider before using the abortion pill method is essential. You need to know how far along you are in your pregnancy and the pregnancy’s location.
The FDA approves the use of drugs for the abortion pill method through 10 weeks of pregnancy only. The further along you are in your pregnancy, the less effective the drugs are.
The location of your pregnancy also matters. If it is an ectopic pregnancy, the drugs used in the abortion pill method do not end the pregnancy.
An ultrasound determines how far along you are and the pregnancy’s location.
You should also talk with your healthcare provider before proceeding with this method in case your health history puts you at a higher risk for complications, such as being anemic or allergic to the drug ingredients.
The FDA Advises Against Purchasing the Abortion Pill Drugs Online
The FDA regulates the first drug, mifepristone, used in the abortion pill method. Only certified providers should prescribe it.
Many online distributors of the drugs are from foreign countries that do not have the same health standards as the United States.
Both the Abortion Pill Method and Surgical Procedures Have Physical Risks
According to the Mayo Clinic, these are the physical risks of the abortion pill:
- The body doesn’t release all of the pregnancy tissue. This is known as an incomplete abortion and may require a surgical procedure.
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work.
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding.
- Infection.
- Fever.
- Digestive symptoms such as an upset stomach.
According to the Mayo Clinic, these are the physical risks of a surgical abortion:
- Perforation of the uterus. This occurs when a surgical instrument pokes a hole in the uterus.
- Damage to the cervix (which leads to the uterus).
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall.
- Infection.
Abortion is Known to Cause Mental Health Issues
Research that compared several studies on the mental health effects of abortion concluded the following:
- Abortion is consistently associated with elevated rates of mental illness compared to women without a history of abortion.
- The abortion experience directly contributes to mental health problems for at least some women.
- There are risk factors, such as pre-existing mental illness, that identify women at greatest risk of mental health problems after an abortion.
Where Can I Learn More?
Our client advocates are always available to answer your questions and provide the information you need. Although we do not perform or refer for abortion, if you’d like to learn more about abortion procedures, the side effects to expect, and the potential physical and emotional risks, we’re here for you.
We also provide no-cost, confidential pregnancy services such as pregnancy testing and ultrasound. If you get a positive result on one of our pregnancy tests, we’ll schedule you for a free and confidential limited ultrasound to get the facts about your pregnancy.
Schedule an appointment today. How can we help you?
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.