What are the Different Types of Abortion?

If you’re considering abortion, one of your first questions may be what the procedure involves. There are two primary types of abortion, medical and surgical, and which one is used depends largely on how far along the pregnancy is.

Hope Pregnancy Resource Center offers pregnancy testing and limited OB ultrasounds to help you learn more about your pregnancy before making a decision. 

Schedule a no-cost appointment today to receive pregnancy services and get your questions answered.

Medical Abortion

Medical abortion, commonly called the abortion pill, uses two drugs.

The first, mifepristone, blocks progesterone, a hormone needed for a pregnancy to continue. The second, misoprostol, causes uterine contractions that expel the pregnancy and related tissue.

The abortion pill is FDA-approved through 10 weeks of gestation.

Bleeding and abdominal cramping will occur during the process. Other possible side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, chills, and headache. Risks can include heavy or prolonged bleeding, infection, an incomplete abortion requiring additional treatment, or an ongoing pregnancy if the drugs don’t work.

Surgical Abortion

Surgical abortion is performed in a medical setting. Depending on gestational age, suction, medical instruments, or a combination of the two may be used to dilate the cervix and remove the pregnancy from the uterus.

Cramping and bleeding or spotting can occur afterward. Potential risks include infection, damage to the cervix, uterine perforation, and scar tissue on the uterine wall.

If you’re considering a surgical abortion, ask the provider which procedure would be used, what you can expect during recovery, and which symptoms would require medical attention.

Where Does an Ultrasound Come In?

Before deciding on either type of abortion, there are several details you’ll want to know about your pregnancy.

An ultrasound can estimate how far along you are and confirm that the pregnancy is located inside the uterus. It can also provide information about whether the pregnancy is developing.

These details may affect your next steps. For example, an ectopic pregnancy develops outside the uterus, requires immediate medical treatment to prevent complications, and cannot be treated with the abortion pill. 

We can offer a limited OB ultrasound following a positive pregnancy test with us to provide the information you need.

Get Answers Before You Decide

Learning about abortion procedures is one part of making an informed pregnancy decision. Learning about your own pregnancy is just as important.

Schedule an appointment with Hope Pregnancy Resource Center today to get started. Give yourself the opportunity to ask questions and gather information before deciding what comes next.

Hope Pregnancy Resource Center does not provide or refer for abortions.

All abortion information in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.