Abortion is a serious medical procedure with major risks and side effects. It’s the process of terminating an existing pregnancy, either through a surgical procedure or medication.
If you are thinking about the choice of abortion, here’s more information about the process, the risks, and what’s needed beforehand.
Medical Abortion (The Abortion Pill)
Also known as the abortion pill, medical abortion involves two different drugs – mifepristone and misoprostol. These drugs are taken to terminate an existing pregnancy within 24-48 hours and normally within an abortion clinic.
Mifepristone is the first drug, which works to block the womb from absorbing progesterone, a pregnancy hormone. This drug causes the lining of the uterus to thin, preventing the embryo from growing.
Misoprostol is then taken to make the uterus contract and remove the pregnancy through the vagina. A follow-up with a medical professional is needed afterwards to make sure the abortion was complete.
Risks Of Medical Abortion
- Incomplete abortion – may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- An ongoing unwanted pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Digestive system discomfort
- Infection
- Fever
Surgical Abortion
A surgical abortion is a more invasive abortion procedure compared to a medical abortion. It involves anesthesia and is typically done at an abortion clinic.
There are two main types of surgical abortion: Dilation & Evacuation (D&E) and Dilation & Curettage (D&C). Each abortion procedure dilates the cervix using a suction device and works to remove the pregnancy from the uterus using surgical tools. A Dilation & Curettage abortion is typically performed earlier in a pregnancy than a D&E abortion.
Risks Of Surgical Abortion
Each type of surgical abortion uses a similar process to end a pregnancy, which comes with similar risks, including…
- Perforation of the uterus, or when a surgical instrument pokes a hole in the uterus
- Damage to the cervix
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall
- Infection
Your Pregnancy Choices
Confirm your pregnancy today to learn if you’re eligible for abortion. Get free lab-quality pregnancy testing and an ultrasound at Hope Pregnancy Resource Center. Be alerted of any complications like an ectopic pregnancy (where the pregnancy is growing outside the uterus) or miscarriage.
To determine if you qualify for abortion, you first must confirm the viability, location, and gestational age of your pregnancy with an ultrasound.
North Carolina requires pregnancy testing and an ultrasound before an abortion procedure is done. Schedule a free and confidential appointment today to confirm your pregnancy.
