December 11, 2023

Though abortion affects every woman differently, know that it’s a significant decision with physical and psychological consequences. You should review all your pregnancy options before making a choice.

Ultimately, how abortion would affect you depends on your unique situation. Heart to Heart PRC provides the facts on abortion procedures because we care about your well-being.

What You Should Know

The two main abortion procedures are medical abortion and surgical abortion. Medical abortion is FDA-approved through ten weeks gestation, while surgical abortion is usually performed later in pregnancy.

Medical Abortion: Side Effects and Risks

During a medical abortion, the drug mifepristone blocks progesterone, while misoprostol causes uterine contractions and expels the pregnancy.

If you undergo this process, you will experience abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding, which range from mild to severe. You could also have nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, fever, and chills.

Though the chances of having a medical abortion-related risk are rare, they’re possible. Risks include:

Fever
Infection
Digestive system discomfort
Heavy, prolonged bleeding
Incomplete abortion (which may require surgical treatment)
An ongoing pregnancy (if the medications don’t work)

Surgical Abortion: Side Effects and Risks

Surgical abortion can be more complicated depending on your gestational age, preexisting health conditions, and the environment in which it’s performed. The provider uses a combination of medications, surgical instruments, and suctioning.

Like medical abortion, you’ll have abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding. These side effects could be more severe if your pregnancy is further along or the procedure is more involved.

Risks of surgical abortion are rare, but their chances of occurring increase if the procedure is performed in an unsafe manner or your pregnancy is at a more advanced gestational age.

These risks include:

Scar tissue on the uterine wall
Damage to the cervix
Uterine perforation
Infection

Protect Yourself

Before making a pregnancy decision, educate yourself on abortion procedures. Review your health history with a medical provider to determine whether you meet ineligibility factors like having an IUD or an allergy to certain medications.

A limited ultrasound is an essential step in this process. This scan will determine your pregnancy’s viability (if it is developing), gestational age, and location. You need this information to weigh your options, and it can tell you whether you have had a miscarriage or are experiencing an ectopic pregnancy.

If you have either condition, you can’t have an abortion. And you could need additional medical treatment for both.

Heart to Heart PRC’s trained nurses perform limited obstetrical ultrasounds. No insurance or other payment method is required.

Reach Out Today

Heart to Heart PRC is a medical facility that provides professional, trustworthy care to those with unexpected pregnancies. All our services are free and confidential.

How Will Abortion Affect Me Physically?