Considering an Abortion?- Facts You Need to Know
- Katie Howard
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Do you feel overwhelmed with your unplanned pregnancy? If you feel scared, anxious, unsure, or numb, your feelings are valid. If a baby is not in your plans right now, abortion might seem like the best option. Here are some things you will want to know as you consider your options during an unplanned pregnancy.
Abortion Methods
Medical Abortion- Medical abortions use drugs, instead of surgical instruments, to end a pregnancy. “The Abortion Pill” (mifepristone plus misoprostol) is the most common form of medical abortion. It was approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for use in women up to 10 weeks after LMP. It is even used beyond 10 weeks LMP, despite an increasing failure rate. It is done by taking a series of pills that disrupt the embryo’s attachment to the uterus, and cause uterine cramps which push the embryo out.
Things to consider:
Bleeding can be heavy and lasts an average of 9-16 days.
One woman in 100 need a surgical scraping to stop the bleeding.
Pregnancies sometimes fail to abort, and this risk increases as pregnancy advances.
For pregnancies 8 weeks LMP and beyond, identifiable parts may be seen.
By 10 weeks LMP, the developing baby is over one inch in length with clearly recognizable arms, legs, hands, and feet.
Methotrexate is another drug that is sometimes used to terminate pregnancy. Methotrexate is FDA-approved for treating certain cancers and rheumatoid arthritis, but is used off-label to treat ectopic pregnancies and to induce abortion. Given by mouth or injection, it works by stopping cell growth, resulting in the embryo’s death.
Medical Methods for Induced Abortion – 2nd and 3rd Trimester. This procedure induces abortion by using drugs to cause labor and delivery of the fetus and placenta. Drugs may be injected into the fetus or the amniotic fluid to stop the baby’s heart before starting the procedure to avoid a live birth. There is a risk of heavy bleeding, and the placenta may need to be surgically removed.
Surgical Abortion- Surgical abortions are done by opening the cervix and passing instruments into the uterus to suction, grasp, pull, and scrape the pregnancy out.
The exact procedure is determined by the baby’s level of growth.
Aspiration/Suction– Up to 14 weeks LMP. Most early surgical abortions are performed using this method. Local anesthesia is typically offered to reduce pain. The abortion involves opening the cervix, passing a tube inside the uterus, and attaching it to suction device which pulls the embryo out.
Dilation and Evacuation(D&E) – 14 weeks LMP and up. Most second trimester abortions are performed using this method. Local anesthesia, oral, or intravenous pain medications and sedation are commonly used. Besides the need to open the cervix much wider, the main difference between this procedure and a first trimester abortion is the use of forceps to grasp fetal parts and remove the baby in pieces. D&E is associated with a much higher risk of complications compared to a first trimester procedure.
D&E After Viability – 24 weeks LMP and up. This procedure typically takes 2–3 days and is associated with increased risk to the life and health of the mother. General anesthesia is usually recommended, if available. Drugs may be injected into the fetus or the amniotic fluid to stop the baby’s heart before starting the procedure. The cervix is opened wide, the amniotic sac is broken, and forceps are used to dismember the fetus. The “Intact D&E” pulls the fetus out legs first, then crushes the skull in order to remove the fetus in one piece.
The Importance of an Ultrasound
An abortion clinic may or may not offer an ultrasound before an abortion. An ultrasound can confirm a viable pregnancy and estimate how far along in pregnancy you are. If you are considering abortion, an ultrasound will provide important information that will tell you more about your options. Before having an abortion procedure, it is essential to have a medically verified pregnancy test and know how far along you are in your pregnancy (gestational age), the location of the pregnancy (tubal or uterus), and viability.Abortion costs vary depending on how far along you are and the abortion procedure that you receive.
Long-term Health Effects
There are many factors to consider when looking at the long-term effects an abortion decision can have. Hope Pregnancy Center is a safe, confidential, and non-judgemental place that will help you go through your options and consider all the factors that will help you make an empowered and educated decision that is best for you.
Our medical staff provides you with vital information to help you navigate all questions you may have concerning abortion procedures and after-abortion care. We encourage you to know all the facts and options to make the best decision. We want to ensure you have the information you can trust that addresses you wholistically: physically, mentally, and spiritually.
We understand this may be a difficult and unsure time in your life, but you are not alone. We are committed to giving you evidence-based information in a caring and safe atmosphere, respecting each individual who enters our center. We want every woman to be free to discuss her options and sexual health without being judged.
Call us today or book an appointment at the link below. We are here for you!
Sources:
Comments