Abortion

Understanding Your Options

If you’re facing an unexpected pregnancy, you may be thinking about abortion and searching for clear, reliable information. It’s natural to have questions and even mixed emotions, but you don’t have to navigate the decision-making process on your own.

At Amnion Women’s Center, our nurses will provide accurate, factual details about abortion procedures, potential side effects, and possible risks. Every appointment is free and confidential, and you can ask questions in a caring environment.

Types of Abortion

There are two primary types of abortion: medical abortion (also known as the abortion pill) and surgical abortion. The type performed depends on how far along you are in your pregnancy, known as “gestational age.”

Medical Abortion (Abortion Pill)

The abortion pill typically uses two drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol, to end a pregnancy. Mifepristone blocks progesterone, a hormone necessary for sustaining a pregnancy. The second causes uterine contractions to expel the contents of the uterus.

This method is FDA-approved through 10 weeks of pregnancy. Taking the abortion drugs will cause abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding, which can be severe.

Additional side effects may include:

• Upset stomach
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Chills
• Diarrhea
• Headache

Potential risks include:

• Digestive symptoms
• Fever
• Infection
• Heavy, prolonged bleeding
• Incomplete abortion (when pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus, requiring another procedure)

Surgical Abortion

Surgical abortion is performed in a doctor’s office, hospital, or clinic. It uses drugs or instruments to dilate (open) the cervix. Then, an abortion provider uses a mixture of scraping and suction tools to end and remove the pregnancy. The type of procedure depends on gestational age and is typically more complicated as the pregnancy progresses.

Common side effects may include:

• Mild cramping
• Spotting or light bleeding

Possible risks include:

• Uterine perforation (when a surgical tool pokes a hole in the uterus)
• Damage to the cervix
• Scar tissue on the uterine wall (which can cause painful periods and infertility)
• Infection

Why an Ultrasound Matters

Before considering abortion, it’s essential to verify your pregnancy with an ultrasound. An ultrasound can determine:

• How far along you are (gestational age)
• Whether the pregnancy is progressing and there is a heartbeat (viability)
• If the pregnancy is located in the uterus (not ectopic)

These details are crucial for your safety. At Amnion Women’s Center, we offer no-cost ultrasounds for qualifying patients following a positive pregnancy test.

Confidential Support

At Amnion, you’ll never be judged or rushed. Our nurses are here to listen, support, and equip you with accurate medical information so you can make a decision that prioritizes your health and well-being.

Schedule a free, confidential appointment at Amnion Women’s Center today to learn more.

Amnion Women’s Center does not provide or refer for abortions.