Abortion is a pregnancy option that can come with many questions regarding your health. If you’re considering abortion, it’s important to understand the process and the different types of procedures available to you. 

Before an Abortion

If considering abortion, there are a few steps to take before making a final pregnancy decision. Confirm your pregnancy with a lab-quality pregnancy test, and if you qualify, get an ultrasound today at 1st Choice for Women. 

An ultrasound is the only way to confirm the viability, location, and gestational age (how far along you are) of your pregnancy. We offer ultrasounds so you can get the facts and understand if you are eligible for abortion.

Different Types of Abortion

There are two main types of abortion, done at different points of pregnancy. It’s important to note that the FDA only recommends medical abortion for women through 10 weeks of pregnancy. After this timeframe, a surgical abortion may be your only other abortion option.

Medical Abortion

A medical abortion is a two-step abortion procedure. There are two different drugs taken in the process: mifepristone and misoprostol.

This series of powerful drugs works together to terminate an early pregnancy. First, mifepristone blocks the hormone progesterone, which causes the lining of the uterus to thin and prevents the embryo or fetus from staying implanted or growing. Secondly, misoprostol causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy and related tissue from the body with abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding.

Potential risks of medical abortion include the following:

• The body not releasing all pregnancy tissue in the uterus, also called an incomplete abortion. This may require a surgical procedure.
• An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work.
• Heavy and prolonged bleeding.
• Infection.
• Fever.
• Digestive symptoms such as an upset stomach.

Surgical Abortion

While currently not available in Indiana due to recent laws, a surgical abortion is more invasive than a medical abortion procedure. During this type of abortion, the opening of your uterus (cervix) is dilated using drugs or instruments. Then, an abortion provider will use a tool called a curette to combine suction and scraping to end the pregnancy and empty the uterus. Sometimes, abortion providers use additional tools like forceps to pull out larger pieces of the pregnancy.

Because surgical abortion is a manual process with scraping and tools involved, the risks include:

• Perforation of the uterus.
• Damage to the cervix.
• Scar tissue on the uterine wall.
• Infection.

Free Options Consultation

After you confirm your pregnancy with us, our caring team at 1st Choice for Women offers a safe and confidential space for you to learn about your options. We’re here to help you navigate all your questions and concerns and make an informed decision about your future.

Schedule a free appointment to talk more and learn where to begin.