Are You Considering Abortion?
If you’re considering abortion for your unplanned pregnancy, you need to have up-to-date information on each procedure and the short- and long-term risks. Our client advocates are here to answer any questions you may have and talk through your options.
The Two Types Of Abortion
The two types of abortion are medical abortion and surgical abortion. A medical abortion, such as the abortion pill, uses drugs to terminate a pregnancy. You only qualify for a medical abortion if your pregnancy is 70 days or less.
If your pregnancy is further along than 70 days, you may require a surgical abortion. This procedure uses surgical tools, suction, and possibly forceps to end your pregnancy.
To learn more about each procedure, read Abortion Information.
Side Effects of a Medical Abortion
The abortion pill uses two drugs to end a pregnancy. Like any medical procedure, you may experience side effects including:
- Vaginal bleeding
- Abdominal cramping
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
Risks of a Medical Abortion
According to the Mayo Clinic, risks of the abortion pill include:
- An incomplete abortion, especially the later you get to the 70-day cut-off date
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
Side Effects of a Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortion uses surgical instruments and suction to end a pregnancy. Like any medical procedure, you may experience side effects including:
- Abdominal cramping
- Spotting or light bleeding
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Feeling faint
Risks of a Surgical Abortion
According to the Mayo Clinic, risks of a surgical abortion include:
- Heavy bleeding so that you need to change pads every hour
- Fever
- Cramps lasting more than 48 hours
- Pain that gets worse instead of better
- Foul-smelling discharge from the vagina
- Perforation of the uterus
- Damage to the cervix
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall
- Infection
Before Scheduling An Abortion
You need more than just a positive pregnancy test to determine whether or not you need an abortion. We can offer you referrals for a free pregnancy test and an ultrasound.
You need an ultrasound to determine if your pregnancy is developing or you’ve had a miscarriage. Up to 20% of pregnancies naturally end miscarriage. You don’t need an abortion if you’ve had a miscarriage.
Ultrasounds also give you a better idea of how far along your pregnancy is and where it is located. Sometimes the embryo will implant outside your uterus. This is called an ectopic pregnancy and can be life-threatening. If this is the case, you need medical care as soon as possible.
BPCC is not a medical clinic therefore, no medical care will be provided. BPCC does not offer abortions or abortion referrals.