What Do I Need To Know About Abortion?

According to the Minnesota Department of Health, “The gestational age of the embryo or fetus will directly affect the appropriateness or method of abortion. Different methods of abortion are used at different gestational ages because the date of the beginning of the last normal period may be uncertain, women are advised to have an ultrasound exam to determine the gestational age of the embryo or fetus.”

There are two main types of abortion, medical and surgical. How far along you are in your pregnancy usually determines the abortion procedure that is right for you.

Depending on the abortion method(s) you qualify for, there are different side effects and risks. Speak with a medical professional about potential complications to safeguard your overall health. Most abortions are outpatient procedures, so you will be responsible for monitoring your health for any signs or symptoms of a complication arising.

Medical Abortion

The abortion pill method is a medical abortion that uses two drugs over a 24 to 48-hour period to terminate a pregnancy. The first pill is mifepristone, which stops the hormones needed for the pregnancy to grow. The second pill is misoprostol, which causes the uterus to contract and expel the fetus. Typically, the first pill is taken in a clinic and the second pill is taken outside of a clinic.

The Minnesota Department of Health lists the following as potential risks:
• Incomplete abortion
• Heavy bleeding
• Infection
• Fever and/or chills
• Diarrhea
• Allergic reaction to the medications
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Headache

Surgical Abortion

Surgical abortion can include vacuum aspiration, dilation and curettage (D&C), or dilation and evacuation (D&E).

The Mayo Clinic lists the following as potential risks:
• Perforation of the uterus
• Damage to the cervix
• Scar tissue on the uterine wall
• Infection

What Should I Do First?

It’s essential to confirm a pregnancy before undergoing an abortion. There are two steps to confirm a pregnancy:

Pregnancy testing: Taking a pregnancy test is the first step to confirming a pregnancy. This tells you if your body is producing the pregnancy hormone called hCG. If this hormone is detected, it indicates a pregnancy may have started.
Ultrasound: This simple imaging procedure will provide important information, including if the pregnancy is viable (in the right location and not an ectopic pregnancy), and the gestational age of the pregnancy.

Just like any medical procedure, it’s important to understand how this procedure can impact your physical and emotional health. Speaking with one of our qualified nurses can help provide you with the clarity you deserve and a safe place to ask your questions without judgment.

Maybe you are still not fully confident that abortion is right for you. It is okay to not know your final decision yet. If you are still considering other options, we’re prepared to talk with you. Whether it be abortion, adoption, or parenting, we allow a safe space to process those feelings and make a confident decision that is right for you regarding your pregnancy.

Our clinic offers medical services and accurate medical information about all pregnancy options. We do not perform or refer for abortion procedures at our clinic.

1 Minnesota Department of Health “If You Are Pregnant: Information on Fetal Development, Abortion and Resources”

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