Are You Considering Abortion?
If you have been caught off-guard by an unintended pregnancy, you are not alone. Approximately 50% of all pregnancies in America are unplanned.
Before making the permanent decision to abort, it is important to take time to really think about both the short-term and long-term implications. Educate yourself about the potential physical and emotional side effects, talk to a trusted friend who has no stake in your decision, and be sure no one is pressuring you into aborting. That is actually illegal. If you need a compassionate ear and honest, straightforward information, schedule an appointment to talk with someone at our center. We are here to help.
What Is My First Step?
Even though you’ve received a positive pregnancy test result, you must confirm your pregnancy is viable. A viable pregnancy means that the fetus has a detectable heartbeat and a reasonable chance of survival.
It is estimated that as many as 26% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage. Because it takes your body time to return to pre-pregnancy hormonal levels, you can still get a positive pregnancy test even if you’ve miscarried.
To determine if your pregnancy is viable, you need an ultrasound. If you have a positive pregnancy test, we can help you schedule an ultrasound for confirmation.
What Are The Types of Abortion?
There are two main types of abortion: medical and surgical. How far along you are in your pregnancy determines which method an abortion provider uses.
Medical
Also known as chemical abortion, or the abortion pill, this method actually uses two different pills to end a pregnancy. The first pill, mifepristone, blocks the hormone progesterone from reaching the uterus. Without this hormone, a woman’s uterus cannot support a growing fetus. The next pill, misoprostol, is taken up to 48 hours later and causes cramping, bleeding, and contractions in order to expel the embryo from the mother’s body.
NOTE: Some women regret their decision after taking the first pill. If this is you, there may still be time to save your pregnancy. Call 877-558-0333 immediately or go to https://abortionpillreversal.com/ for more information. You can also email help@apr.life for help.
The FDA has approved the use of mifepristone only up to 70 days (10 weeks) of pregnancy. It’s critical to know how far along you are in your pregnancy (the gestational age) when using the abortion pill method. An ultrasound can help you determine the date.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the following are the potential side effects and risks of medical abortion:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- Ongoing pregnancy if the abortion fails
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever and chills
- Digestive system discomfort, which may include diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
Surgical
Depending on the gestational age, various surgical procedures exist to terminate a pregnancy. In your first trimester (through the 12th week), abortion providers perform what is called a suction, or vacuum, aspiration.
Later pregnancies may require dilation and curettage (D & C) or dilation and evacuation (D & E). These procedures require vacuum aspiration, a sharp spoon-shaped curette to scrape the lining of the uterus, and possibly forceps to remove the larger parts of the fetus.
According to the NHS, the following are potential side effects and risks of surgical abortion:
- Needing another procedure to remove parts of the fetus that remained in the womb
- Heavy bleeding
- Damage to the womb (uterus) or entrance to the womb (cervix)
- Sepsis (a severe infection)
How Can I Learn More?
Contact us to schedule an appointment where we can discuss both facts and your feelings about your pregnancy, abortion procedures, side effects, and potential risks. If you are unsure if abortion is right for you, we can also talk about your other options. We are here to provide accurate information and caring, non-judgmental assistance. This can be a tough time; let’s work through it together.