An unexpected pregnancy can leave you searching for answers, and you’re likely thinking about which option you’ll choose. If you’re considering abortion, it’s vital to understand the different types of procedures and what they’ll mean for you. 

Choices of the Heart is here for you with no-cost, confidential pregnancy services. We know this can be a challenging time, which is why we’re committed to providing options information you can trust. 

Abortion Procedures: What You Should Know

The two main types of abortion procedures are medical abortion and surgical abortion. If you have an abortion, the procedure type depends on several factors, including how far along you are. 

Medical Abortion

Medical abortion is FDA-approved through 10 weeks gestation, so it is not recommended for later in pregnancy. It uses drugs to end the pregnancy and expel it from the uterus. 

The first drug, mifepristone, blocks progesterone, a hormone that is required for the pregnancy to develop. 

The second drug, misoprostol, causes uterine contractions that expel the pregnancy and related tissues from the uterus. 

If you have a medical abortion, you will experience abdominal cramping and uterine bleeding. You could also experience side effects like nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, fever, and chills.

Some women experience a medical abortion-related risk, which is rare. These risks include:

• Fever
• Infection
• Digestive system discomfort
• Heavy, prolonged bleeding
• Incomplete abortion (which may require surgical treatment)
• An ongoing pregnancy (if the drugs don’t work)

Surgical Abortion

Surgical abortion can use various techniques to end a pregnancy, which include medication, suctioning, and/or surgical instruments. 

The type of procedure you have depends on how far along you are. If you are later into your pregnancy, the procedure may be more involved. 

With a surgical abortion, you’ll also have abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding. But you could also experience a risk, which is rare but serious:

• Uterine perforation (when a surgical tool pokes a hole in the uterus)
• Damage to the cervix
• Scar tissue on the uterine wall
• Infection

Before Making Your Decision

Protect your health and well-being before making a pregnancy decision. 

Choices of the Heart provides limited ultrasounds to confirm your pregnancy. In some cases, you may need monitoring or medical treatment if you’ve had a miscarriage. And if you are experiencing an ectopic pregnancy, you’ll need emergency treatment. 

Following an ultrasound, we can discuss your pregnancy options. We don’t perform or refer for abortions, but we’ll ensure you have accurate information on the risks and side effects. 

Schedule a no-cost, confidential appointment today. We’re here for you.