What You Should Know Before Visiting an Abortion Clinic
Have you been faced with an unplanned pregnancy? It is totally normal to feel emotions such as fear, excitement, doubt, or even frustration. You are not alone. Take the time you need to settle into the news of your pregnancy and learn about all your pregnancy options.
If you are considering abortion, you deserve all the information about the process and the serious risks. Here is more information about both surgical and medication abortion and what you should know before visiting an abortion clinic. Get the clarity you need to make a decision for your future.
Confirm Your Pregnancy
Before moving forward with any pregnancy decision, it’s essential to first confirm your pregnancy. If you are over 10 weeks pregnant or have pregnancy complications, you may not be eligible for certain abortion options, such as the abortion pill. The two ways to confirm your pregnancy are:
- Take a lab-quality pregnancy test to make sure you’re pregnant (there is a chance your at-home pregnancy test was administered incorrectly)
- Receive an ultrasound to know if you have a viable pregnancy, how far along you are, and the location of your pregnancy
What Is Abortion?
Surgical Abortion
A surgical abortion involves terminating a pregnancy through a surgical procedure, most commonly with dilation and a suction instrument called a curet. This type of abortion terminates a pregnancy by removing the fetus from the uterus through the vagina. If a woman has this procedure done more than once, there is a greater risk of infertility. The scarring of the lining of the uterus may make it difficult to get pregnant again. It’s vital to talk to a doctor about all of the risks involved.
Medication Abortion
A medication abortion uses two different medications to end a pregnancy. The first pill, Mifepristone, blocks the progesterone hormone, causing the uterus lining to thin. The embryo is then prevented from implanting and growing. The second pill, Misoprostol, causes the uterus to contract and expel the embryo through the vagina. This type of abortion procedure is only eligible for women up to 10 weeks pregnant.
With medication abortion, the first pill is taken in a doctor’s office or clinic, and the second pill at home. Follow-up with a doctor or medical professional is required after the procedure.
The Risks of Abortion
It’s important to know the risks of abortion before visiting an abortion clinic.
Healthline shares potential risks of a surgical abortion.
Some side effects are symptoms of potentially emergent conditions. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience the following symptoms:
- Passing blood clots that are larger than a lemon for more than two hours
- Bleeding that is heavy enough that you have to change your pad twice in one hour for two hours straight
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Fever
- Pain or cramping that gets worse instead of better, especially after 48 hours
- Pregnancy symptoms that persist after one week
The Mayo Clinic shares these potential risks of the abortion pill (medication abortion) method:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- An ongoing unwanted pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
Know All Your Options
You deserve to know all your options to make an informed decision for your future. If you would like to talk more about your pregnancy options, our team is here for you. We also offer free pregnancy testing and ultrasounds to confirm your pregnancy.
Schedule a free and confidential appointment with us today.