Abortion Information

A drug that is intended to be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy.  

What is it?  It is a drug that contains a high dose of progesterone (levonorgestrel), which is found in many kinds of birth control pills.  At the dosage found in the morning-after pill, this drug may work on rare occasions to prevent an embryo from implanting in the uterus.

How does it work?  It may prevent ovulation:  the egg will not be released to meet the sperm – so fertilization, sometimes known as conception, cannot occur.  It may affect the lining of the fallopian tubes so that sperm cannot reach the egg.  This also prevents fertilization.  It may irritate the uterus lining.  If an egg has already been released and fertilized by the sperm, this irritation could make it harder for the embryo to implant in the uterus.

Side effects:  Several short-term side effects may be experienced when taking the morning-after pill, such as, nausea, vomiting, irregular and unpredictable menstrual periods, cramping, abdominal pain, fatigue, headache, dizziness, breast tenderness and allergic reaction to medications.  Some of these symptoms can also indicate serious medical conditions such as an ectopic pregnancy.  Remember to always consult a medical practitioner.

Also known as the Abortion Pill (COMPLETELY different from the morning after pill), this medical abortion is used to terminate the pregnancy of a developing baby within the first 10 weeks (70 days after a woman’s last menstrual period). This procedure usually requires three office visits.

The Abortion Pill and How it Works

Doctors prescribe the Abortion Pill (RU-486/Mifepristone) within the first 70 days (10 weeks) of pregnancy. Mifepristone is a drug that blocks the effects of progesterone—a hormone the body needs to grow a healthy baby. Mifepristone blocks the essential nutrients, therefore leading to the death of the developing baby, the embryo or fetus.

It is important for a woman considering a chemical abortion to be aware of the potential side effects and risks of Mifepristone and Misoprostol which can vary. Below are some potential side effects.

• Vaginal bleeding or spotting for an average of 9 to 16 days
• Up to 8 percent of all women may experience some bleeding for 30 days or more
• Uterine/stomach cramps, hemorrhage (severe bleeding) - seek immediate medical attention
• Serious infection
• Vaginal inflammation/infection, insomnia and fever
• Allergic reaction to medications
• Loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, high blood pressure, lethargy, joint pain, fluid retention in limbs
• Death

The 1st Pill – Mifepristone-oral

• A doctor will give a woman considering chemical abortion a physical exam, which will determine if she is eligible for this type of chemical abortion procedure. A woman is not eligible if she has any of the following: ectopic pregnancy, ovarian mass, IUD, corticosteroid use, adrenal failure, anemia, bleeding disorders or use of blood thinners, asthma, liver or kidney problems, heart disease, or high blood pressure.
• To prevent infection, antibiotics may be prescribed.
• During the first office visit she will take an oral dose of mifepristone.

The 2nd Pill – Misoprostol (also called Cytotec)

• Misoprostol tablets will be given orally or inserted vaginally about 24 to 48 hours after taking the mifepristone. The tablets cause contractions and expel the remains of the baby. This process may take a few hours or as long as a few days.
• The woman will need an examination by her doctor two weeks later to ensure the abortion was complete and to check for complications.

The procedure is unsuccessful approximately 5-10% of the time, potentially requiring an additional surgical abortion procedure to complete the termination. Often abortion pill providers will not explain that an opportunity to save your baby exists if you regret having taken the RU-46 Pill. The Abortion Pill Reversal is the protocol used to reverse the effects of RU-486. For further information see abortionpillreversal.com (877.558.0333)

This surgical abortion is done between 6 and 14 weeks after the woman’s last menstrual period.

What is it?  In this procedure, the doctor opens the cervix with a dilator (a metal rod) or laminaria (thin sticks derived from plants and inserted several hours before the procedure) or by taking Cytotec. The doctor inserts tubing into the uterus and connects the tubing to a suction machine. The suction pulls the fetus’ body apart and out of the uterus. One variation of this procedure is called Dilation and Curettage (D&C). In this method, the doctor may use a curette, a loop-shaped knife, to scrape the fetal parts out of the uterus. The procedure normally takes between 15-30 minutes. The fetal remains are usually examined to ensure everything was removed and that the abortion is complete.  Below are potential side effects.

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Bleeding and Cramping up to 2 weeks
• Damage to uterine lining or cervix
• Perforation of the uterus
• Infection
• Blood clots
• Allergic reaction to medications
• Damage to internal organs
• Death

This surgical abortion is done in the pregnancy between 13 and 24 weeks after the woman’s last menstrual period.

What is it?  This surgical abortion is done during the second trimester of pregnancy. Because the developing fetus doubles in size between the thirteenth and fourteenth weeks of pregnancy, the body of the fetus is too large to be broken up by suction and will not pass through the suction tubing. In this procedure, the cervix must be opened wider than in a first trimester abortion. This is done by inserting laminaria a day or two before the abortion. After opening the cervix, the doctor pulls out the fetal parts with forceps. The fetus’ skull is crushed to ease removal.  Below are potential side effects.

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Bleeding & cramping up to 2 weeks
• Damage to uterine lining or cervix
• Perforation of the uterus
• Infection
• Blood clots
• Allergic reaction to medications
• Damage to internal organs
• Death

This surgical abortion is done between 20 and 40 weeks (full term) after the woman’s last menstrual period.

What is it?  Also known as Partial-birth Abortion, this procedure takes three days. During the first two days, the cervix is dilated and medication is given to promote cramping. On the third day, the woman receives medication to start labor and her water should break. After labor begins, the abortion doctor uses ultrasound to locate the baby’s legs. Grasping a leg with forceps, the doctor delivers the baby up to the baby’s head. Next, scissors are inserted into the base of the skull to create an opening. A suction catheter is placed into the opening to remove the skulls contents. The skull collapses and the baby is removed.

SIDE EFFECTS

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Bleeding and cramping up to 2 weeks
• Damage to uterine lining or cervix
• Perforation of the uterus
• Infection
• Blood clots
• Allergic reaction to medications
• Damage to internal organs
• Death

(Not everyone experiences the risks listed below)

Some of the side effects that may be experienced are:

• Infections
• Torn cervix associated with premature birth of future pregnancies
• Punctured or tear of uterus
• Incomplete abortion (which can cause infection)
• Scarred uterine lining (which can lead to infertility)
• Heavy bleeding, allergic reactions
• Death (although rare)
• Some studies have also indicated a connection between abortions and an increased risk of Breast Cancer

Here are some important facts:

• Carrying a pregnancy to full term gives protection against breast cancer that cannot be gained if abortion is chosen.
• Abortion causes a sudden drop in estrogen levels that may make breast cells more susceptible to cancer.
• Most studies conducted so far show a significant linkage between abortion and breast cancer.

Scarring or other injury during an abortion may prevent, or place at risk, future wanted pregnancies. The risk of miscarriage is greater for women who abort their first pregnancy.

Some women experience strong negative emotions after abortion. Sometimes this occurs within days and sometimes it happens after many years. This psychological response is known as Post-Abortion Stress (PAS). Several factors that impact the likelihood of Post-Abortion Stress include: the woman’s age, the abortion circumstances, the stage of pregnancy at which the abortion occurs, and the woman’s religious beliefs.

Post-Abortion Stress Symptoms:
(not everyone experiences the symptoms listed below)

• Guilt
• Anger/Rage
• Anxiety
• Emotional Pain
• Depression
• Suicidal Thoughts
• Anniversary Grief
• Flashbacks of Abortion
• Sexual Dysfunction
• Relationship Problems
• Eating Disorders
• Alcohol and Drug Abuse
• Psychological Reactions

*If you suffer from any of these Post Abortion Stress Symptoms, please consider our Abortion Recovery Program.