If you’re thinking about abortion for your unplanned pregnancy, you should know that it is a procedure with risks and side effects. Learning everything you can about different abortion methods will help you make a choice that considers your health and safety.

Baywater Women’s Clinic provides accurate information on abortion procedures and all your pregnancy options. When you have the facts, you can make an informed decision.

Keep reading to learn more about the different types of abortion, and if you’re interested in discussing your options, you can schedule an appointment with our caring team.

Abortion: What to Know

Abortion is the only option that ends a pregnancy. However, the method depends on several factors, including how far along you are (your gestational age).

The two types of abortion are medical abortion and surgical abortion. Learning about each will help you find clarity as you weigh options for your pregnancy.

Medical Abortion

Medical abortion uses drugs to end a pregnancy. It is FDA-approved only through 10 weeks gestation.

With this method, the woman takes a drug called mifepristone first. Mifepristone blocks progesterone, a hormone the pregnancy needs to develop and grow. Without progesterone, the uterine lining thins, and the pregnancy detaches and ends.

The second drug, misoprostol, causes uterine contractions. These contractions expel the pregnancy and tissue from the uterus and out of the body.

Taking abortion drugs causes abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding. Some women have reported this pain to be severe. Additionally, other side effects can occur, including:

Upset stomach
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Headache
Fever
Chills

Medical abortion is also associated with certain health risks. It is crucial to be aware of the following:

Digestive symptoms (i.e., upset stomach)
Infection
Fever
Heavy, prolonged bleeding
An ongoing pregnancy (if the procedure doesn’t work)
Incomplete abortion, which happens when pregnancy tissue remains in the body (this may require surgical treatment)

Surgical Abortion

Surgical abortion procedures use a combination of drugs, surgical tools, and suctioning. The procedure type depends on how far along a woman is; the more advanced her gestational age, the more involved the procedure can be.

Side effects of this abortion method include mild cramping and light bleeding or spotting for several days. However, surgical abortion is also associated with risks, including:

Infection
Perforation of the uterus (a surgical instrument pokes a hole in the uterus)
Damage to the cervix
Scar tissue on the uterine wall (which can lead to painful periods and infertility).

Before making any decision, it’s critical to confirm pregnancy details and discuss your options with a trusted source. Baywater Women’s Clinic will act as an educational resource as you navigate the next steps in your decision-making process.

No-Cost Pregnancy Services

Are you facing an unplanned pregnancy? We offer no-cost services to help you get the answers you need, including limited ultrasounds administered by licensed medical professionals to confirm your pregnancy.

Our team will also review your options with you. We’ll discuss the risks and side effects of abortion procedures and explain the resources available for parenting and adoption.

The pregnancy decision is yours alone to make. Baywater Women’s Clinic will empower you with facts and information to help you confidently decide.

Make a no-cost, confidential appointment today.

Baywater Women’s Clinic does not provide or refer for abortions.

All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.

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What Are the Different Types of Abortion?