Abortion

Looking for information about taking an abortion pill or different types of abortion procedures?

You are welcome to call us (320) 629-2792 to ask your questions.

Abortion providers offer both medical and surgical abortions. The types of abortion that may be available depend on factors such as how far along a woman is in her pregnancy and what kinds of procedures an abortion provider offers.

It may seem like abortion is the solution to moving on with your life or getting back on track. No matter what you choose – to carry or to abort – your life is forever changed. This pregnancy will always be part of your story.

Abortion carries the potential for physical complications, which are significant if they happen to you. Did you know that surgical and later term abortions are also associated with an increased risk of emotional/psychological complications such as depression, anxiety, and relationship difficulties?1-7 Women are not the only ones who may be in distress after abortion: Men can suffer too.8-10

Some women who struggle with past abortions say that they wish they had been told all of the facts about abortion and its risks before they made that choice. If you or someone you know is experiencing regret from an abortion, pregnancy centers offer confidential, compassionate support designed to help women and men work through these feelings. You are not alone.

Consider all the facts and make an informed decision, one you can live with long term.

Contact us to learn more about abortion procedures.

MEDICAL ABORTIONS

Medical abortions use drugs, instead of surgical instruments, to end a pregnancy. Early Medical Abortion – Up to 10 weeks from the last menstrual period (LMP) “The Abortion Pill” (mifepristone plus misoprostol) is the most common form of medical abortion. It was approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for use in women up to 10 weeks after LMP.11 It is even used beyond 10 weeks LMP, despite an increasing failure rate.12, 13, 14 It is done by taking a series of pills that disrupt the embryo’s attachment to the uterus, and cause uterine cramps which push the embryo out.15 Things to consider:16

  • Bleeding can be heavy and lasts an average of 9-16 days.
  • One woman in 100 need a surgical scraping to stop the bleeding.
  • Pregnancies sometimes fail to abort, and this risk increases as pregnancy advances.
  • For pregnancies 8 weeks LMP and beyond, identifiable parts may be seen.17
  • By 10 weeks LMP, the developing baby is over one inch in length with clearly recognizable arms, legs, hands, and feet.18
  • Methotrexate is FDA-approved for treating certain cancers and rheumatoid arthritis, but is used off-label to treat ectopic pregnancies and to induce abortion.19,20 Given by mouth or injection, it works by stopping cell growth, resulting in the embryo’s death.

Medical Methods for Induced Abortion21,22 – 2nd and 3rd Trimester. This procedure induces abortion by using drugs to cause labor and delivery of the fetus and placenta. Drugs may be injected into the fetus or the amniotic fluid to stop the baby’s heart before starting the procedure to avoid a live birth. There is a risk of heavy bleeding, and the placenta may need to be surgically removed.

SURGICAL ABORTIONS

Surgical abortions are done by opening the cervix and passing instruments into the uterus to suction, grasp, pull, and scrape the pregnancy out. The exact procedure is determined by the baby’s level of growth.

Aspiration/Suction23,24 – Up to 13 weeks LMP. Most early surgical abortions are performed using this method. Local anesthesia is typically offered to reduce pain. The abortion involves opening the cervix, passing a tube inside the uterus, and attaching it to suction device which pulls the embryo out.

Dilation and Evacuation25,26 (D&E) – 13 weeks LMP and up. Most second trimester abortions are performed using this method. Local anesthesia, oral, or intravenous pain medications and sedation are commonly used. Besides the need to open the cervix much wider, the main difference between this procedure and a first trimester abortion is the use of forceps to grasp fetal parts and remove the baby in pieces. D&E is associated with a much higher risk of complications compared to a first trimester surgical abortion.

D&E After Viability27-29 – 24 weeks LMP and up. This procedure typically takes 2–3 days and is associated with increased risk to the life and health of the mother. General anesthesia is usually recommended, if available. Drugs may be injected into the fetus or the amniotic fluid to stop the baby’s heart before starting the procedure. The cervix is opened wide, the amniotic sac is broken, and forceps are used to dismember the fetus. The “Intact D&E” pulls the fetus out legs first, then crushes the skull in order to remove the fetus in one piece.

WHAT IF I CHANGE MY MIND?

Sometimes, it just doesn’t hit you until you are there and the procedure is about to start. You suddenly realize:”I don’t want to do this!” What can you do?

SURGICAL ABORTION

For a woman who has decided to have a surgical abortion-whether it’s an early aspiration, or a later term D&E, she is free to change her mind up UNTIL the moment that the surgical procedure begins. Maybe you paid your deposit, or you had laminaria placed in your cervix, you can still change your mind. What if you’re laying on the exam table and the abortion doctor has numbed your cervix, but hasn’t put any instruments into your cervix, you can still say “no” and get up off the table and leave. It is your body, it is still your choice. But once the instruments are in your uterus and the suction is turned on: it’s too late. 

MEDICATION/DRUG ABORTION (The Abortion Pill, aka Mifeprex, mifepristone)

You were certain; this is what you wanted. You sat in the clinic and swallowed the first set of pills (mifepristone) that will lead to the end of your pregnancy. You leave the clinic with a bag containing the second set of pills (misoprostol) that are to be taken in 24 hours. You were told that these pills cause cramping and bleeding that will expel the pregnancy. 

As you get into your car, you’re suddenly filled with dread and regret and your mind is screaming, “What have I done?!!” The good news is that it may not be too late to save your baby from abortion. 

The first drug in the Abortion Pill Protocol is called mifepristone. Miferistone blocks progesterone, which is needed to sustain a growing pregnancy. A new protocol, known as the Abortion Pill Reversal, has been developed that uses natural progesterone to reverse the abortion and rescue the pregnancy. Recent studies have shown a success rate above 60% if the progesterone is started within 72 hours of taking the first abortion pill. It may not be too late, for more information and to find a participating medical professional, call 877-558-0333 or visit: theabortionpillreversal.

Call us to learn more about these procedures and your pregnancy options.

NOTE: We offer accurate information about all your pregnancy options; however, we do not offer or refer for abortion services. The information presented on this website is intended for general education purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional and/or medical advice.

The morning-after pill is a form of emergency contraception. Emergency contraception is any type of birth control used after unprotected intercourse or a known or suspected contraceptive failure (e.g. a broken condom) to attempt to prevent pregnancy. One of the most common ones is a pill called Plan B One-Step®.

Your body and your health are important, so take time to make the best decision. Give us a call (320) 629-2792 for a confidential discussion about your options.

How well does the morning-after pill work?

Not as well as was originally advertised. It is intended for use within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse.1,2 Studies done since it was released over the counter, say that “it is more effective than nothing.”3

Should I take the morning-after pill?

You can only become pregnant on certain days of the month — around the time that you ovulate. Taking the morning-after pill during a time when you cannot become pregnant needlessly exposes you to a large dose of hormones and costs you money.

If you are already pregnant from an earlier sexual encounter, taking the morning-after pill is of no value and may cause unpleasant side effects.4

To find out if you are pregnant, contact us. We can give you information and schedule a free pregnancy test appointment.

Can the morning-after pill cause an abortion?

Taking Plan B One-Step® after fertilization has taken place may prevent the newly formed life from settling into the uterus and continuing to grow, which some consider a form of early abortion.5,6,7

What are the side effects and risks?

Like any medication, risks and side effects are not the same for everyone who takes the morning-after pill. Plan B One-Step® can cause nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue, headache, heavier menstrual bleeding, and dizziness.8

Your body and health are important, so take time to make the best decision. Please contact us to ask your questions and have a confidential discussion about your options if you are pregnant.

NOTE: We offer accurate information about all your pregnancy options; however, we do not offer or refer for abortion services or emergency contraception. The information presented on this website is intended for general education purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional and/or medical advice.

REFERENCES