Considering an Abortion? Here’s the Info You Need

Are you pregnant? Do you think you may be pregnant? If so, you may find yourself wondering what your options are. At this point, many people begin looking for abortion information and find the waters to be muddied. The decisions you’re facing are stressful enough as it is. Our goal is to equip you with the facts about abortion so you can make an informed decision about your pregnancy.

So how do we start? Well, first things first. You’ll want to confirm whether you’re pregnant or not.

Am I Pregnant? The Urine Test

A urine test will identify the pregnancy hormone, also known as human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). They are highly accurate in their detection of hCG levels. However, if you took the test close to the time you missed your period, you may get a more accurate reading now that some time has gone by. The hCG concentration increases each day during early pregnancy, so it may be ideal to test yourself about a week after missing your period.

Two Options for Urine Testing

Your first option is the home pregnancy test (HPT). These have been on the market for several decades and tend to be quite accurate. If you go this route, make sure your test is not expired and that you carefully follow the instructions.

However, we highly recommend the second option, which is clinical testing. Going into a clinic for your urine test should take away some of the stress of human error. You’ll have the assurance of knowing that the people there are knowledgeable and have gone through the process many times before. This is also an opportunity to gather additional information in a safe, confidential setting.

Confirming Pregnancy

So let’s say you go to a clinic and your pregnancy test is positive. First of all, that’s typically all the information you’d receive regarding the status of pregnancy. You’d probably be told that the test is positive, rather than being told that you’re pregnant. We understand that there are many factors involved and that a positive reading can mean different things for different people.

As effective as these tests are, there’s always the chance for error. That’s why you’ll want to confirm your pregnancy with an ultrasound. This is something we can do for you right here at our office. The ultrasound will confirm whether you have a viable pregnancy. It will also give you a more accurate dating of your pregnancy.

Another thing to consider at this point is making an appointment with your physician. Don’t have a physician? No problem. The pregnancy clinic or resource center can help you find one right for you. If you don’t already have someone in mind, your physician can refer you to an OB/GYN. Another thing you can be tested for at that time is sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Not Ready? Educate Yourself with Abortion Information

There are many young women who go through the steps already mentioned and for one reason or another, do not feel ready to continue the pregnancy. The most important thing at this point is to gather all the abortion facts you can so you can make an educated decision. We’re talking about questions like what abortion is, what it involves at each stage of pregnancy, and whether there are any risks associated with abortion. We’ll now take a look at some information on abortion to get a clearer picture.

Abortion Information and Facts

What is Abortion?

Clearly, this is a hot topic and it can be difficult to find the abortion information you really need. So let’s take a look at what a federal government agency has to say. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), “a legal induced abortion is defined as an intervention performed by a licensed clinician (e.g., a physician, nurse-midwife, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant) that is intended to terminate an ongoing pregnancy.” That said, there are several types of possible abortions. While there are different ways to break these types down, we’ll simplify it here.

Miscarriage

Miscarriage, also known as spontaneous abortion, can be defined as “a pregnancy that ends on its own, within the first 20 weeks of gestation.” This is the most common way a pregnancy is lost, with 10-25% of all clinically recognized pregnancies ending in miscarriage. This usually occurs during the first 13 weeks of pregnancy and is obviously quite different from the other information about abortion covered here.

Chemical Abortion

The Guttmacher Institute states that “medication abortions accounted for 39% of all abortions in 2017, up from 29% in 2014.” The United States Food and Drug Administration approved the drug mifepristone in 2000. This is a first trimester abortion, something that occurs within the first 10 weeks of gestation. The intent with this pill is to end a pregnancy in women who have experienced their last period in the past 10 weeks, or 70 days.

Surgical Abortion

One method of surgical abortion is called an aspiration abortion. This is another type of abortion that occurs in the first trimester. Normally, the patient will need to be dilated well before the procedure takes place. The abortion practitioner then uses either a plastic cannula or a hand-held syringe to pull the baby out of the uterus. Early-stage aspiration abortions are done between 5-9 weeks, but can be done between 10-14 weeks if using a machine-operated pump.

Another method of surgical abortion is known as dilation and evacuation. This is the method used during the second trimester. It involves vacuum aspiration as well as utilizing forceps to remove the baby from the uterus. If it’s been more than 13 weeks since your last menstrual period, a dilation and evacuation is most likely the type of abortion you’d be having. While this is typically an outpatient procedure, risks increase as your pregnancy progresses.

Risks Associated with Abortion

We just mentioned the fact that risks increase as your pregnancy progresses. That brings up an important topic many women are looking for when seeking abortion information. So what are the risks?

  • According to the Mayo Clinic, “Women who have multiple surgical abortion procedures may also have more risk of trauma to the cervix.” This can pose problems for future pregnancies.
  • Studies have listed “induced abortion” as a breast cancer risk factor.
  • One study concluded that abortion can pose a serious threat to the mother’s life. Again, we look to the CDC for statistics: “The national legal induced abortion case-fatality rate for 2008–2013 was 0.62 legal induced abortion-related deaths per 100,000 reported legal abortions.”
  • There may be emotional side effects related to abortion, whether the abortion was planned or not. There may be increased risk of mental health problems following an abortion.
  • Another infrequent yet serious complication of induced abortion is pulmonary thromboembolism.

So What’s Right For You?

It’s important for you to gather accurate pregnancy and abortion information so you can make an informed decision. You hold the key insights as to what’s going on in your life and what your future will look like. But people are here waiting to help. Do you need someone to talk to?

Just pick up the phone or send an e-mail to schedule an appointment at your convenience. You’ll get a thoughtful, non-judgmental response on the other end. Please note, our office doesn’t provide or perform abortions but can provide the abortion information you need. We’re here to help you choose the best next steps for your life.

Disclaimer: This website and blog does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Content from this website and blog is not intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. The information provided on this website is intended for general understanding only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice.

Abortion Information

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Abortion is not just a simple medical procedure.  For many women, it is a life changing event with significant physical, emotional and spiritual consequences.  Most women who struggle with past abortions say that they wish they had been told all of the facts about abortion.

You have the lawful right to choose the outcome of your pregnancy regardless of age or marital status.  Real empowerment comes when you find the resources and strength necessary to make your best, most informed decision.

The following information will help you understand more about abortion procedures, side-effects and risks.  Knowledge will enable you to make the best possible informed decision about you and your baby’s health.

Most Common Types of Abortions

Morning After Pill (MAP) – Also known as “Plan B”

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.

Abortion Pill – RU-486, Mifepristone

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)

Surgical Abortion, Performed in Clinics

Dilation and Suction Curettage (D & C)

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
Dilation and Evacuation (D & E)

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
Dilation and Extraction (D & X)

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

Other Risks to Abortion

Physical Risks from Abortion

(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
Abortion and 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.
Effects on Future Pregnancy

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.

Emotional Impact

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.

 

We hope that before rushing into an abortion we have a chance to assist you in seeking long term solutions to your current problems.