September 21, 2021

Many women who are facing an unplanned pregnancy want out of that situation as fast as possible. That can cause them to make a rushed decision without being fully informed and can lead to a choice they may later regret. It’s important to take a moment to breathe and then gather some important information including whether or not the pregnancy is even a viable pregnancy, and what are the types of abortion as well as the potential risks.

At the Open Arms Pregnancy Clinic, our team is here to answer your questions about unintended pregnancy and what your options are. Let’s take a closer look at the option of abortion and the risks.

How Does Abortion Work?

Abortion ends an existing pregnancy, whether surgically or with medication. Women under 10 weeks pregnant could be eligible for medication abortion. It involves the use of two drugs: Mifepristone and Misoprostol. Mifepristone ceases the production of the progesterone hormone, preventing the embryo from growing. Then, Misoprostol is taken 24-48 hours later, causing contractions to expel the pregnancy.

With surgical abortion, there are different procedures based on the gestational age of the pregnancy. A common first-trimester surgical abortion is called D&C (Dilation and Curettage). This procedure dilates the cervix and removes fetal tissue, and is done in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

A second-trimester abortion is a D&E (Dilation and Evacuation) where the cervix is dilated and the pregnancy suctioned and/or scraped from the uterus. A D&E is completed on women 13-24 weeks pregnant.

What Are the Risks of Abortion?

Both surgical and medication abortion come with different potential risks including:

Surgical Abortion Risks

• Perforation of the uterus
• Damage to the cervix
• Scar tissue on the uterine wall
• Infection
• Moderate to severe vaginal bleeding

Medication Abortion Risks

• Heavy and prolonged bleeding
• Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
• Infection
• Digestive system discomfort

EMOTIONAL EFFECTS OF ABORTION

There is a broad range of emotions after an abortion. Many women report having various emotional effects immediately following their abortion or several years later. A study revealed that abortion was linked to high rates of depression, anxiety, drug and alcohol abuse, and suicidal behaviors.

FIRST STEPS OF YOUR PREGNANCY DECISION

To know what’s next, a pregnancy confirmation is necessary to understand what options you have. With abortion, you will need proof of gestational age to know what procedure you’re eligible for. The two steps to pregnancy confirmation are clinical pregnancy testing and ultrasound.

It’s also helpful to talk to someone. We’ve served thousands of women who, like you, are facing pregnancy-related decisions. The staff at Open Arms offers compassionate, educational and confidential care. We are here to help.

Schedule a no-cost and confidential appointment to take your next step.