Abortion often elicits complex feelings and opinions. It’s likely that you have pre-existing beliefs about it, and facing an unplanned pregnancy can put those beliefs to the test.
Deciding on an abortion is a significant medical choice that carries real outcomes. It’s crucial to have access to current and accurate information regarding the potential side effects and hazards of each method.
Prioritizing your health is key, and being well-informed helps protect your overall health and safety.
Medical Abortion
A medical abortion uses two drugs to terminate a pregnancy. First, mifepristone is taken to block the hormone progesterone. Next, misoprostol causes cramping and bleeding to empty the uterus.
On top of abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding, you are likely to experience nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, headache, or diarrhea.
You may hear that these side effects are minor, but many women report feeling them very severely, and there’s a good chance this will affect your daily routine for a few days.
Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortion may use a combination of drugs, surgical instruments, or suctioning techniques to terminate a pregnancy and remove related tissue. It’s most commonly performed in the later stages of pregnancy. Dilation and curettage (D&C) is usually the procedure used.
After the D&C procedure, you will probably stay in a recovery area for several hours to be observed for any excessive bleeding or complications. This time also allows you to recuperate from the anesthesia’s effects.
The risks from a surgical abortion can be more serious and include:
- Uterine perforation
- Damage to the cervix
- Infection
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall
In some rare cases, undergoing a D&C can lead to the formation of scar tissue inside the uterus, a condition referred to as Asherman’s syndrome.
Symptoms of Asherman’s syndrome may include irregular, missing, or painful periods, as well as an increased risk of miscarriage and infertility in the future. However, it is often possible to treat this condition through surgical intervention.
Get The Care You Need
Visit The Center for Women to get free pregnancy services, such as pregnancy testing and limited ultrasounds, that will help you gain the information you need about your pregnancy and be equipped to make a confident decision moving forward.
Contact us to schedule your confidential appointment today.