Abortion

Are You Considering an Abortion?

Having an abortion is a serious medical decision. It can be life-altering both physically and emotionally. If you are considering abortion for your unplanned pregnancy, learning about the procedures, side effects, and potential risks is vital.

Before an Abortion

We care about your health and safety, and want you to know there are steps you should take first.

• Confirm the viability (development) of your pregnancy first. Experts estimate that as many as 26% of all pregnancies end in a natural miscarriage. Because it takes time for a woman’s body to return to pre-pregnancy hormone levels, it is possible to get a positive pregnancy test and no longer be pregnant. An ultrasound determines if your pregnancy is developing or if you have had a miscarriage.
• Test for a sexually transmitted disease or infection (STD/STI). Many STIs have no symptoms. To avoid complications like Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) following an abortion, you should be tested first.

Types of Abortion

There are two types of abortion: medical and surgical. How far along you are in your pregnancy determines the type of procedure you qualify for.

Medical Abortion (aka “The Abortion Pill” Method)

The FDA approves the use of abortion drugs through 10 weeks of pregnancy only.

The abortion pill method uses two drugs, taken over a 24 to 48-hour period, to terminate a pregnancy. The first drug, mifepristone, blocks the hormone progesterone from reaching the uterus. All pregnancies need progesterone to develop and grow. Without this hormone, the pregnancy ends.

The second drug, misoprostol, causes contractions and bleeding to expel the pregnancy from the body. Some women report intense pain during this stage of the abortion. Complications may include the following:

• Heavy and prolonged bleeding
• Not completely expelling the pregnancy from the body (this is known as an incomplete abortion)
• Infection

Surgical Abortion

Although you can have a surgical abortion for an early pregnancy, abortion providers generally use surgical procedures for later pregnancies. Depending on the number of weeks you have been pregnant, the provider may use vacuum or suction aspiration along with various surgical tools.

Surgical instruments include a curette, which scrapes the inner lining of the uterus, or forceps to remove larger parts of the pregnancy. Complications may include the following:

• Uterine perforation (the surgical tool pokes a hole in the uterus).
• Infection.
• Bleeding.

How Can We Help You?

We provide a safe and confidential place to get the medical information you need. Because abortion can affect your mental health too, we invite you to talk with a caring team member about your situation. Get the facts first. Call (248) 293-0070 to schedule a confidential appointment free of charge. You matter to us.

Crossroads Care Center does not perform or refer for abortions.