There are two main types of abortions:
- Medical
- Surgical
Usually, your health history and the pregnancy’s gestational age and location determine which procedure is used. To protect your health and safety, you should do a few things before an abortion.
What Is A Medical Abortion?
An elective medical abortion uses drugs to terminate a viable pregnancy. The drugs used are called mifepristone and misoprostol; together, they are called the abortion pill.
Mifepristone is used first to thin uterine walls and detach the embryo. Next, misoprostol is taken and causes labor-like contractions to occur. When this happens, the body pushes the embryo and pregnancy tissue out.
What Is A Surgical Abortion?
An elective surgical abortion is an invasive procedure that uses surgical techniques to terminate a viable pregnancy.
There are two subtypes of surgical abortion:
- Dilation and curettage (D&C): Uses small instruments or a medication to dilate the cervix, then a surgical instrument called a curette, which can be a sharp instrument or suction device, is used to remove the embryo and pregnancy tissue. This procedure is usually done in the first trimester of pregnancy.
- Dilation and Evacuation (D&E): It usually includes a combination of vacuum aspiration, D&C, and surgical instruments. This procedure is typically performed in the second trimester of pregnancy.
What Should I Know Before Having An Abortion?
Before an abortion procedure, you should sit down with a trusted professional who can explain the risks of an abortion procedure. Some risks associated with all abortions you should discuss are:
- Fever
- Infection
- Hemorrhaging
What Should I Do Before An Abortion?
To help protect your health and wellness, you should:
- Have a complete physical exam
- Confirm your pregnancy through a quality test and receive an ultrasound
- Give an extensive health history and list any medications you may use
When you complete this checklist, you will have a better idea of what your health qualifies for and what options are available to you.
Where Can I Go?
Contact us today if you would like more information on how abortion might impact your health or understand what your options are.
We also confirm pregnancy through reliable testing and ultrasound. All services are free and confidential. Schedule today to receive the answers you need to move forward confidently.
