Do you think abortion is the best solution for your unplanned pregnancy? If so, learn about the two types, medical (aka medication, the abortion pill, RU-486) and surgical. How far along a pregnancy is (gestational age) determines the abortion method performed.
Get Pregnancy Confirmation Before Scheduling An Abortion
No-Cost Pregnancy Testing
Even if you’ve taken an at-home pregnancy test, it is good to confirm the results with a lab-quality test. At Ivy Women’s Center, we offer this pregnancy testing free of charge.
At-home tests are reliable, but some are more sensitive than others. It’s possible to have taken it at the wrong time or incorrectly. Get results you can trust from Ivy Women’s Center.
No-Cost Ultrasound
Even a lab-quality pregnancy test cannot give you all the information you need before proceeding. An ultrasound confirms how far along your pregnancy is, which determines whether you will have a medical or surgical abortion. Ultrasound is the only way to get all the information you need.
You not only learn the gestational age, you learn the location of the pregnancy and if it’s viable or if you’ve had a miscarriage. Up to 25% of known pregnancies end in a natural miscarriage. In this case, an abortion would no longer be necessary.
Types of Abortion
Medical
The abortion pill method is a medical abortion using two drugs to terminate a pregnancy. In Ohio, abortion providers perform a medical abortion up to 10 weeks and 0 days from the first day of your last menstrual period.
The first drug in the abortion pill method blocks a hormone called progesterone, which is necessary for pregnancy growth. The second drug causes a woman’s body to contract to expel the pregnancy from her body.
Side Effects and Risks of Medical Abortion
- An incomplete abortion requiring further drugs or surgery
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Intense cramping
- Infection
Surgical
Abortion providers perform surgical abortions in-clinic. The number of days or weeks you’ve been pregnant determines the type of surgical procedure you receive.
Surgical abortion ranges from Vacuum or Suction Aspiration, which uses suction to pull the pregnancy out, to surgeries requiring scraping tools and forceps.
Side Effects and Risks of Surgical Abortion
- Damage to the uterus or cervix
- Excessive bleeding
- Infection of the uterus or fallopian tubes
- Scarring on the inside of the uterus
- Not removing all the tissue requires another procedure
Determine If Abortion Is Right For You
Abortion is a major medical and emotional decision. Get more information on the procedures, side effects, and potential risks. Our Client Advocates can talk with you during a no-cost consultation.
You deserve to be prepared. Schedule an appointment with us today.