If you have confirmed an unexpected pregnancy and are considering abortion, you may be trying to sort out how a medical abortion and a surgical abortion differ.
Both end a pregnancy, but they use different methods, apply at different stages, and carry their own risks.
Understanding these facts is one of the best ways to protect yourself. Rockingham Pregnancy Care Center provides free and confidential services to help you confirm your pregnancy and learn what shapes your options.
Schedule an appointment today to get started, and keep reading to learn the key differences between medical and surgical abortion.
Medical Abortion
A medical abortion, often called the abortion pill, uses two drugs taken a day or two apart.
Mifepristone is used first, blocking the hormone progesterone so the pregnancy stops developing.
Misoprostol then follows, causing the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy and related tissue through abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding.
The FDA approves this method only through the first 10 weeks of pregnancy, and using it later increases the chance of complications.
Known risks of medical abortion include:
- An incomplete abortion, where tissue remains in the uterus, and surgical treatment may be needed
- An ongoing pregnancy if the drugs do not work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection and fever
- Digestive symptoms
Surgical Abortion
Rather than using drugs, a surgical abortion uses a combination of methods, such as medications and surgical instruments, to end and remove the pregnancy. What’s more, it’s often done later in pregnancy, when medical abortion is no longer an option.
A medical provider dilates the cervix, then uses suction and/or surgical instruments to remove the pregnancy and related tissue.
Cramping and vaginal bleeding are expected afterward, but risks of surgical abortion include:
- Perforation of the uterus by a surgical instrument
- Tearing or damage to the cervix
- Scar tissue inside the uterus, which can affect future fertility
- Infection
The Effects Are Not Only Physical
Research has connected abortion to mental health struggles for some women, including grief, anxiety, and depression. If you have a history of mental health concerns, discuss your situation with your medical provider before deciding.
Why an Ultrasound Comes First
Using an ultrasound scan, a medical professional can confirm how far along you are, as well as whether the pregnancy is developing and where the pregnancy is located.
Knowing these facts can help you understand what options are available to you.
Starts With the Fact
Rockingham Pregnancy Care Center invests in our community, and so we provide all of our services at no cost.
Start with a free, confidential pregnancy test confirmation appointment. If your pregnancy is confirmed, our medical staff can provide a referral for an ultrasound and answer your questions about your options.
Let us walk alongside you and explain your options. Contact us today to schedule your free and confidential appointment.
Rockingham Pregnancy Care Center does not provide or refer for abortions.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.