When you’re facing an unexpected pregnancy, understanding your options fully is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. If you’re considering abortion, knowing how each method works, what to expect physically, and what risks are involved puts you in a better position to make a decision.
At Fayette PRC, our team of medical professionals is committed to giving you honest, medically accurate information. Schedule your no-cost, confidential appointment today.
Medical Abortion (The Abortion Pill)
Medical abortion involves two drugs taken in sequence and is FDA-approved through 10 weeks gestation. Using it beyond that point increases the risk of complications and reduces effectiveness.
The first drug, mifepristone, blocks progesterone, cutting off what the pregnancy (embryo) needs to continue and causing it to detach from the uterine lining. The second drug, misoprostol, is taken afterward and triggers uterine contractions (labor) to expel the pregnancy tissue (embryo), resulting in cramping and bleeding.
Common side effects include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever and chills
- Headache
Risks to be aware of include:
- Heavy or prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Incomplete abortion, where tissue remains in the uterus and may require surgical follow-up
Because much of this process takes place at home without medical oversight, knowing what’s normal versus what requires urgent care can be difficult. Having a healthcare provider involved before and after is an important safeguard.
Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortion is performed in a clinical setting and uses suction, medical instruments, and in some cases, drugs to end the pregnancy. The complexity of the procedure increases as the pregnancy progresses.
Side effects that commonly follow include:
- Cramping
- Light bleeding or spotting
Risks associated with surgical abortion include:
- Uterine perforation, when an instrument punctures the uterine wall
- Cervical injury
- Scar tissue formation inside the uterus, known as Asherman’s syndrome
- Infection
While some of these complications are uncommon, they can have lasting effects on your health and future fertility. Understanding them ahead of time, rather than after, is part of making a truly informed decision.
Getting the Information You Deserve
Before making any decision, confirming key details about your pregnancy is essential. Pregnancy testing is the starting point, and an ultrasound can tell you how far along you are, where the pregnancy is located, and whether it is progressing. Each of these factors directly affects your options and your health.
At Fayette PRC, we offer ultrasounds to qualified clients. You’ll get your questions answered in a warm, caring environment.
We’re also here to discuss all your options, covering parenting, adoption, and abortion, so you can move forward with the facts in hand.
Schedule your no-cost, confidential appointment today.
*Fayette PRC does not provide extended OB/GYN or prenatal care, birth control prescriptions or devices, fertility testing, contraceptives, abortion services, or referrals for abortion.
All abortion information in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.