Are You Considering Abortion?
Did a sickening feeling come over you when you discovered your unplanned pregnancy? Maybe you were shocked or even afraid. You may think the only solution to getting back to “normal” is abortion.
Whether you choose abortion or another option, this pregnancy will always be a part of your life’s story. Learn as much as possible before making a decision.
What You Need To Know About Abortion
There are two types of abortion, medical and surgical. Currently, Oklahoma law prohibits abortion in the state. However, if you decide to pursue this option, we want you to be educated about the procedures, side effects, and potential risks.
The Abortion Pill (Medical Abortion)
The abortion pill method is a medical abortion using two drugs to terminate a pregnancy. The first drug, mifepristone, blocks the pregnancy hormone progesterone from reaching the uterus. The pregnancy cannot survive without this vital hormone. The second drug, misoprostol, causes contractions to expel the pregnancy from the body through the vagina.
The FDA has approved using the abortion pill to end a pregnancy through ten weeks gestation only (70 days or less since the first day of a patient’s last menstrual period). We recommend an ultrasound to get an accurate date for the length of your pregnancy.
There are side effects and risks to be aware of before taking the abortion pill.
Side Effects:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Chills
- Diarrhea
- Headache
Potential Risks:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
The FDA does not recommend buying mifepristone online because these drugs would not fall under safety regulations.
Surgical Abortion
Because surgical abortions are more invasive, they are performed in a clinic. Depending on how far along your pregnancy is determines the type of surgery you have.
The most common surgical abortion procedure is the Vacuum Aspiration method, which uses a vacuum to suction the pregnancy out of your body.
Another abortion procedure is a D & C (dilation and curettage). This method uses a sharp spoon-shaped curette to scrape the lining of your uterus. If your pregnancy is farther along, the provider performs a D & E (dilation and evacuation) using forceps to remove individual parts of the pregnancy.
There are side effects and risks of all surgical abortion procedures.
Side Effects:
- Bleeding
- Cramping
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sweating
- Feeling faint
Potential Risks:
- Perforation of the uterus
- Damage to the cervix
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall
- Infection
Every medical procedure has physical consequences, but abortion is also tied to emotional health issues. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states, “abortion is consistently associated with elevated rates of mental illness compared to women without a history of abortion.”
Free Pregnancy Confirmation
Before you make any decision, confirm your pregnancy. You need more than a missed period or home pregnancy test result. We can provide you with a free medical-quality pregnancy test. Even if you’ve already taken a test, confirm the results with one of ours.
If your pregnancy test from us is positive, we may recommend you for a free limited ultrasound. Experts estimate up to 26% of pregnancies end in a natural miscarriage, so it is essential to ensure your pregnancy is viable or see if you have miscarried.
Before scheduling an abortion, verify your pregnancy, learn more about the potential side effects and risks, and discuss all your other options. We’re here for you!
