Understanding the potential risks of an abortion is an important part of protecting your health. Both medical and surgical abortion carry risks and side effects, which can vary based on factors such as your medical history and how far along you are in your pregnancy.
Moore Options Pregnancy Center offers no-cost, confidential pregnancy testing and ultrasounds following a positive pregnancy test at our center. Make an appointment to get information about your pregnancy and ask your questions in a private setting.
Does the Type of Abortion Affect the Risks?
Yes. Medical and surgical abortions use different methods, so their potential risks are different.
A medical abortion, commonly called the abortion pill, uses mifepristone and misoprostol to end and trigger the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy through heavy vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping. The FDA has only approved* the abortion pill through ten weeks of gestation.
Vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping are expected during the process.
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, fever, and chills may also occur. Potential risks include heavy or prolonged bleeding, infection, an incomplete abortion that may require additional treatment, or an ongoing pregnancy if the drugs do not work as intended.
During a surgical abortion, an abortion provider dilates (opens) the cervix using drugs or medical instruments. Then, the abortion provider uses a mixture of suction and medical instruments to end and remove the pregnancy from the uterus manually. The procedure takes place in a clinical or hospital setting. Depending on the procedure and circumstances, sedation or anesthesia may also be used.
Potential risks can include infection, heavy bleeding, damage to the cervix, uterine perforation, scar tissue on the uterine wall, or an incomplete procedure requiring additional treatment.
Why Does Gestational Age Matter?
Gestational age is directly related to the risks associated with abortion. The FDA has only approved the abortion pill through ten weeks of gestation, and the risk of complications with surgical abortion generally increases as the pregnancy progresses.
Dating a pregnancy from the first day of your last menstrual period provides an estimate, but an ultrasound uses measurements of the pregnancy to estimate gestational age. This can provide more accurate dating, particularly if your menstrual cycles are irregular or you’re unsure of the date of your last period.
What Else Can an Ultrasound Tell You?
An ultrasound can also determine the pregnancy’s location and viability. Viability means the pregnancy is progressing in the uterus, and not a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy.
An ectopic pregnancy develops outside the uterus, most commonly in a fallopian tube. The abortion pill cannot end an ectopic pregnancy. Without medical treatment, an ectopic pregnancy can cause a fallopian tube to rupture, leading to life-threatening internal bleeding.
Pregnancy loss is another consideration. A pregnancy test can remain positive while hCG levels decrease following a miscarriage. Depending on the circumstances, medical follow-up may be needed.
Knowing the pregnancy’s gestational age, location, and viability can help protect your health and safety.
Get the Facts at Moore Options Pregnancy Center
Understanding abortion risks is only part of the picture. If you’re facing an unexpected pregnancy, you can also learn more about parenting and adoption and consider what each option could look like in your circumstances.
At Moore Options Pregnancy Center, you can bring your questions and learn more about abortion, parenting, and adoption. We’ll provide accurate information and give you space to consider each option without pressure.
Make an appointment at our Dumas or Cactus location today.
Moore Options Pregnancy Center does not provide or refer for abortions.
Abortion is currently banned in the state of Texas except to preserve the life of the pregnant woman, and in cases where the pregnancy poses a serious risk of substantial impairment of a major bodily function. This will not affect care for miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. A woman who may obtain or has previously obtained an abortion cannot be prosecuted.
References: Texas Health and Safety Code Title 2, Subtitle H, Chapters 170A and Chapter 171.
