Abortions
Abortion is a medical procedure to end a pregnancy growing in the womb (uterus). It’s also known as a pregnancy termination. Abortion is generally very safe. It carries minor risks, as does any medical procedure.
If you are considering having an abortion, consult with your doctor. Your provider will be able to explain the procedures, as well as the benefits and risks of each.
Types of Abortions
Surgical Abortions
A health professional will surgically extract the embryo from the uterus in this type of abortion. These procedures necessitate mild sedation, local anesthesia (numbing the area), or general anesthesia (fully asleep). In-clinic abortions, aspiration abortions, and dilation and curettage (D&C) abortions are some other terms for surgical abortions. Personal preference, being too far along in a pregnancy, or a failed medical abortion are all reasons why women have surgical abortions.
Medical Abortions (nine weeks or less of pregnancy)
A woman will take two different medications (usually within 48 hours). A healthcare provider administers the medication, which is either taken in the provider’s office or at home (or a combination of both). Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how and when to take your medications.
If you want a surgical abortion, you must see a doctor or a nurse who has received special training in a clinic or hospital. Trying to end a pregnancy on your own can be extremely dangerous.
If you want to have a medication abortion at home, you must have access to accurate information, dependable abortion medications, and safe, nonjudgmental, and supportive care within the formal medical system if you require it.
Most Common Medical Abortions
Mifepristone and misoprostol (oral): Mifepristone will be administered by your healthcare provider or at home.
You will then take misoprostol at home 24 to 48 hours later.
Mifepristone (oral) and misoprostol (vaginal, buccal, or sublingual): These are the same medications, with the exception that misoprostol is administered vaginally or dissolved in the cheek or under the tongue.
It is also administered within 24 to 48 hours of the initial medication.
The most severe side effects of a medical abortion begin shortly after the second pill is taken.
Following the administration of both medication doses, the following should occur:
- Bleeding and cramping begin one to four hours after taking the second pill.
- For the next several hours, there will be heavy bleeding with blood clots.
- For several hours, I suffered from severe cramping.
- A low fever or chills that last for about a day after the second pill.
- Others report fatigue, nausea, dizziness, and diarrhea.
A follow-up appointment will be scheduled to ensure that no complications occurred.
Although infection from a medical abortion is uncommon, some healthcare providers may prescribe antibiotics.
Surgical abortion might be considered for
- You have made the personal decision to terminate the pregnancy.
- Your child has a birth defect or a genetic issue.
- Your pregnancy is bad for your health (therapeutic abortion).
- The pregnancy occurred as a result of a traumatic event, such as rape or incest.
- The decision to terminate a pregnancy is highly personal.
- Discuss your feelings with a counselor or your provider to help you weigh your options.
Before the Procedure
When you call to schedule your appointment, your health care provider will most likely give you some instructions. Because in-clinic abortions are considered surgeries, you may be required to fast beginning around midnight the night before your procedure.
When you arrive at the clinic, you’ll be asked to fill out some paperwork and provide information about your medical history. A pre-abortion workup will then be performed, which will include a physical examination, pregnancy test, blood test, screening for sexually transmitted infections, and possibly additional testing if your case warrants it. Many providers will also use an ultrasound to confirm your pregnancy stage and to look for uterine, fetal, or placental abnormalities.
All of this information, which your doctor will go over with you during a brief counseling session, will assist them in determining which procedure is best for you.
During the procedure
- You will be lying on an exam table during the procedure.
- You may be given anesthetic medication to help you fall asleep and relax.
- Your feet will be supported by stirrups. These enable your doctor to view your vagina and cervix by positioning your legs.
- Your doctor may numb your cervix so you don’t feel any pain during the procedure.
- Dilators, which are small rods, will be inserted into your cervix to gently stretch it open. Laminaria (medical seaweed sticks) are sometimes inserted into the cervix. This is done the day before the procedure to allow the cervix to slowly dilate.
- Your provider will insert a tube into your womb and then remove the pregnancy tissue through the tube using a special vacuum.
- To reduce the risk of infection, you may be given an antibiotic.
- You may be given medication to help your uterus contract after the procedure. This lessens bleeding.
After a Surgical Abortion
Follow your clinic’s instructions on how to care for yourself and reduce your risk of infection after a surgical abortion. In general (for two weeks after your procedure or a few days after the bleeding has stopped), the following recommendations apply
- Instead of taking a bath, take a shower.
- Avoid sexual encounters.
- Tampons should be replaced with sanitary pads.
- Swimming should be avoided.
Medical abortion involves taking medication orally or vaginally. There is no need for anesthesia or surgery. It works by combining two drugs that, when taken together, cause an abortion. Mifepristone works by inhibiting progesterone production. The uterine lining will thin without progesterone, and the embryo will not remain attached. Misoprostol causes the uterus to contract, bleed, and expel the embryo.
Throughout your medical abortion, you should collaborate closely with your healthcare provider.
Discuss all of your concerns and ensure that you understand the process and what to expect.
If any of the following symptoms occur, contact your healthcare provider:
- Severe bleeding — more than two thick pads soaked in an hour
- Fever lasting more than 24 hours.
- Vaginal discharge that smells bad.
- Abdominal or back pain that is severe.
- After two months, you do not get your period.
- You have pregnancy symptoms.
Consult your clinic, primary care physician, or a hospital emergency department right away if:
- If your bleeding becomes excessive
- If you develop a fever
- If you have severe cramping or abdominal (tummy) pain.
These signs could point to an infection.