It’s essential to arm yourself with all the facts regarding abortion procedures if you’re unexpectedly pregnant and considering this option.

There are two types of abortions: medical and surgical. Which one you’re eligible for largely depends on your gestational age or how far along you are in your pregnancy.

If you want to talk about your options with a caring staff and get pregnancy support, reach out to us at New Life Family Outreach. We provide pregnancy testing, sonograms, education, and material support. 

Different Types of Abortion

Medical Abortion

Commonly referred to as “the abortion pill,” a medical abortion is the process of terminating a pregnancy via drugs. Despite the name, it involves a series of two drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol. 

First, mifepristone is taken to block the hormone progesterone. Next, a user takes misoprostol to cause uterine contractions and expel the pregnancy from the uterus. 

Medical abortion is FDA-approved through ten weeks of gestation, so it’s typically an early option for pregnancy. 

Side effects include abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding. You may also experience nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, headache, or diarrhea. 

The risks to be aware of are:

• 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

Surgical Abortion

A surgical abortion uses a combination of drugs, small medical instruments, or suction to remove a pregnancy. 

Strong suction and scraping tools are utilized in the early stages of pregnancy. However, later in pregnancy, instruments such as forceps are used to remove larger parts of the pregnancy.

Surgical abortions are performed in a clinic or hospital setting, as opposed to a medical abortion, which is typically done at home. You will also likely spend a few hours in a recovery room to check for complications, excessive bleeding, and to let the anesthesia wear off. 

The risks of a surgical abortion include:

• Perforation of the uterus
• Damage to the cervix
• Scar tissue on the uterine wall
• Infection

In rare cases, Asherman’s syndrome can develop from these risks, which can lead to unusual, absent, or painful menstrual cycles, future miscarriages, and infertility. It can often be treated with surgery.

Get Support

New Life Family Outreach is here to provide the support you need during this critical time. Review your options, get education and resources, and use our no-cost pregnancy services. 

Our facility is a judgment-free zone where you can feel supported and encouraged through your decision journey.

Make an appointment today.