Thinking About Abortion?
We’re sure you have a lot on your mind and want a better understanding of abortion procedures and risks. Being well-informed is a great start.
Abortion is a serious medical procedure that works to terminate an existing pregnancy. Each type of abortion procedure comes with unique risks.
Be informed about this choice because there could be major risks to your health.
The Two Types of Abortion
Medical Abortion
Also called the “abortion pill,” a medical abortion1 uses two different drugs to end a pregnancy: mifepristone and misoprostol. The first drug, mifepristone, blocks the hormone progesterone, causing the lining of the uterus to thin and preventing the embryo from staying implanted. Without the pregnancy hormone progesterone, the pregnancy is terminated.
Next, misoprostol is taken around 24-48 hours later and causes the uterus to cramp and contract, expelling the pregnancy through the vagina.
Follow-up with a medical provider is necessary to ensure that the abortion was completed and there are no complications.
Risks of Medication Abortion:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Digestive system discomfort
- Infection
- Fever
Surgical Abortion
There are two main types of surgical abortion procedures: D&E and Vacuum Aspiration.
Aspiration abortions are done up to 14 weeks of pregnancy, and D&E (Dilation and Evacuation) after 14 weeks. These surgical abortion procedures involve dilating the cervix and a vacuum to suction out the contents of the pregnancy.
Risks of Surgical Abortion:
- Infection
- Heavy bleeding
- Perforation of the uterus
- Damage to the cervix
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall
Emotional Effects of Abortion
Some women suffer from various emotions before and after an abortion that can significantly impact their quality of life.
It’s also essential to know the potential emotional effects abortion could have on you. Some side effects after an abortion include:
- PTSD symptoms
- Suicidal behavior
- One study found that women had an 81% increased risk of mental health problems following an abortion if they previously struggled with anxiety and depression.
It’s important to consider your current mental health status when considering how this could affect your future.
Talk to our medical team today about abortion. Let us answer your questions about the types of procedures and what’s available to you in the state of Texas.
1 https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/induced-abortion
