What Are The Different Types Of Abortion Procedures?

There are two main types of abortion — medical and surgical. A medical abortion requires taking two drugs called mifepristone and misoprostol. Mifepristone is used to terminate the pregnancy by depriving it of the nutrients it needs to grow. Misoprostol is then taken to cause contractions to expel the fetal tissue from the uterus. Medical abortions are available in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. Surgical abortions are available throughout the pregnancy and require an invasive process to remove the pregnancy tissue. The method and form of abortion used will depend on how developed the fetus is.

What Are The Side Effects And Risks Of Abortion?

Medical abortions are associated with side effects including: Cramping Bleeding Abdominal pain Nausea Weakness Headaches Diarrhea Fever Chills Vomiting Dizziness They may also result in more severe health risks including infection, sepsis, and hemorrhaging. Surgical abortions will often be accompanied by cramping, as well as more severe risks such as infection, uterine perforation, heavy bleeding, and retained fetal tissue.

What Steps Should I Take Before Deciding If Abortion Is Right For Me?

Before getting an abortion, you’ll need to receive an ultrasound scan to determine the age and location of your pregnancy. We also recommend scheduling a consultation with a medical professional to discuss the risks you may face. Empower Life Center provides these services at no cost to you.

What Are The Different Types Of Adoption?

Adoption is a great option for those who don’t feel ready to parent and don’t feel like abortion is right for them. When it comes to adoption, there are two types — open and closed. Closed adoptions are for those who would like their adoptions to remain anonymous and do not feel comfortable having a relationship with the child or adoptive family after giving birth. The most common form of adoption today is an open adoption. Open adoptions allow the mother to choose the family her child will be placed with and typically involves some form of relationship between the child and the birth mother, whether via photos, text, email, or visits. Open adoption can be an incredibly empowering option. As the birth mother, you’ll be in control each step of the way, getting to make impactful choices for your child’s future.

What Steps Should I Take Before Deciding If Adoption Is Right For Me?

Are you interested in exploring the option of adoption further? Schedule an appointment with Empower Life Center to confirm your pregnancy with an ultrasound scan, learn more about your options, and ask any questions you may have. Once you’re ready to move forward, our helpful staff will get you connected with an adoption agency to help you take steps towards creating the adoption plan that’s right for you.

When Should I Take A Pregnancy Test?

The best time to take a pregnancy test is after you miss your period. This gives your body time to produce a detectable amount of HCG - a pregnancy hormone.

Why Do I Need An Ultrasound?

An ultrasound or a physical exam is necessary to confirm your pregnancy. At Empower Life Center, we provide ultrasounds free of charge. An ultrasound reveals three important details of your pregnancy, including: Whether your pregnancy is viable How far along you are (the gestational age) The location of your pregnancy Make a free and confidential ultrasound appointment with us today.

If you’ve had vaginal, oral, or anal sex, you have a potential risk for an STD/STI. If you have questions regarding your level of risk, please call to talk with one of our qualified medical staff.

Medical Abortion: What Are The Risks?

Medical abortion, also known as medication abortion or the abortion pill, terminates a pregnancy using two powerful prescription drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol. These drugs work to first end the pregnancy, and then push it out of your body by triggering contractions. Women only qualify for medical abortion when they are under ten weeks pregnant. After this time period, women only qualify for surgical abortion.

Surgical Abortion: What Are The Risks?

Surgical abortion is the only abortion option women qualify for after ten weeks of pregnancy. This procedure is performed in the abortion clinic using a mixture of tools and suction. There are two kinds of surgical abortion: Dilation & Curettage (D&C) and Dilation & Evacuation (D&E). A D&E typically requires more tools and time than a D&C. The type of procedure depends on how far along you are in your pregnancy. Because of the nature of a surgical abortion procedure, the risks relate more to the use of tools scraping your uterus. Also remember, the emotional impact should still be considered, even if it will be different for every woman.

What Are The Risks Of The Abortion Pill?

There are several physical, emotional, and psychological risks associated with the abortion pill you should know about. The Mayo Clinic lists the following possible physical risks of medical abortion: Incomplete abortion Heavy and prolonged bleeding Infection Fever Digestive system discomfort An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work In addition to these possible physical risks, some emotional or psychological side effects may be possible as well. It’s common to experience a range of negative emotions and in some cases, lasting mental health effects. According to the Mayo Clinic, “having a medical abortion is a major decision with emotional and psychological consequences”.

Plan B, the morning-after pill, is either made of a drug called levonorgestrel or ulipristal acetate. These medications are used up to 5 days after unprotected intercourse. However, this medication is not meant to replace regular, long-term birth control. Plan B usually works to delay or prevent ovulation from taking place. However, if an egg has been released and fertilized, this medication may stop it from continuing to be sustained by not allowing it to attach to the uterine wall.

Are There Risks For Plan B?

The Mayo Clinic states that this medication isn’t for everyone. Also, discussing the risks, such as bleeding between periods, abdominal cramping, nausea, and vomiting, are important concerns to address before using this drug.

Are There Risks For The Abortion Pill?

Yes, just like other drugs, there are risks and some people should not use the abortion pill, according to the Mayo Clinic.

What is the Abortion Pill? | Empower Life Center

The abortion pill sounds like an easy, singulair drug used to end a pregnancy. In reality, the abortion pill is a little more complex and isn’t as simple as popping a pill and moving on with your life.

Keep reading to learn more about the abortion pill, how it works, and how it might affect you.

What is the Abortion Pill?

The abortion pill is actually composed of two different drugs: Mifepristone and misoprostol. They work together to end a pregnancy.

Mifepristone is taken first and blocks progesterone, a hormone vital to the growing embryo. Once cut off, the lack of progesterone causes fetal demise.

Misoprostol is taken 24-48 hours after mifepristone and causes uterine cramping and contractions to expel the pregnancy remains.

Am I Eligible for the Abortion Pill?

The abortion pill is only FDA-approved through the first nine weeks of pregnancy. If you are farther along in the pregnancy, you are not eligible for the abortion pill.

In addition to the timing issue, there are other physical and mental factors to consider before deciding to take the abortion pill.

Physical Factors

The Mayo Clinic provides a long list of medications that should not be “mixed” with the medications in the abortion pill regimen. In other words, you should not take the abortion pill if you are currently on any of the listed medications.

The Mayo Clinic advises that the abortion pill is not for you if you:

Are too far along in your pregnancy. You shouldn’t attempt a medical abortion if you’ve been pregnant for more than nine weeks (after the start of your last period). Some types of medical abortion aren’t available after seven weeks of pregnancy.
Have an intrauterine device (IUD) currently in place.
Have a suspected pregnancy outside of the uterus. This is called ectopic pregnancy.
Have certain medical conditions. These include bleeding disorders; certain heart or blood vessel diseases; severe liver, kidney or lung disease; or an uncontrolled seizure disorder.
Take a blood thinner or certain steroid medicines.
Can’t make follow-up visits to your provider or don’t have access to emergency care.
Have an allergy to the medicine used.

These warnings are in place for your health and safety, which should always be your top priority when considering any kind of medication or surgical procedure.

Mental & Emotional Factors

Many studies have been conducted that demonstrate a link between abortion and negative mental health outcomes.

While some conclusions differ on how extreme these outcomes can be, “both sides agree that (a) abortion is consistently associated with elevated rates of mental illness compared to women without a history of abortion.”

In 2018, the British Journal of Psychiatry published a meta-analysis of 22 studies related to the mental health of women who have abortions. It found that “women who had undergone an abortion experienced an 81% increased risk of mental health problems.”

Some of these mental health issues included:

Anxiety
Depression
Alcohol use
Marijuana use
All suicidal behaviors
Suicide

Before choosing something as serious as abortion, it’s important to consider how it may affect you mentally. This is especially true if you struggle with mental health currently.

What Should I Do Before Taking the Abortion Pill?

Like with any medical procedure or new medication, it’s important to take the proper steps to protect your health and safety before beginning the procedure or medication.

Before you take the abortion pill, you need to know exactly how far along you are. The only way to really know that is by getting an ultrasound exam.

We offer free ultrasounds at our center so you don’t have to wonder. Contact us to schedule your appointment today.

What is the Abortion Pill?

What is the Abortion Pill?

Am I Eligible for the Abortion Pill?

Physical Factors

Mental & Emotional Factors

What Should I Do Before Taking the Abortion Pill?

Have Questions?

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