Abortion
As with any medical procedure, there is a lot of information to learn and understand about abortion. You should be familiar with the procedures themselves and the risks involved so you are empowered to make the most informed decision possible for your body and your health.
Here at LifeClinic, we do not perform or refer out for abortions.
Abortion Procedures
There are two legal types of abortion procedures: medical and surgical.
Medical Abortion (RU-486)
The medical abortion method, commonly known as the abortion pill, utilizes two different medications to terminate pregnancy. The first pill, mifepristone, stops the flow of progesterone to the pregnancy. Progesterone is a hormone that is necessary for a pregnancy to continue. The second pill, misoprostol, causes contractions to occur and expel the embryo from the uterus.
Surgical Abortion
Suction Aspiration and Dilation & Evacuation (D&E) are the two kinds of surgical abortion procedures. Each one involves the suctioning of the embryo from the uterus. The difference is that D&E is typically done during later-term pregnancies.
Physical Risks
Both the medical and surgical abortion procedures involve risks. During a medical abortion, a woman may experience:
- Severe bleeding and cramping
- Infection
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Incomplete abortion requiring a surgical procedure. This occurs 2 to 8 percent of the time.
Some of the physical side effects of surgical abortion include:
- Severe bleeding and cramping
- Infection
- Uterine perforation
- Scar tissue formation
- Tearing of cervix
- Incomplete abortion
Emotional Risks
While abortion is a medical procedure, there are emotional risks to consider. Often, women report feeling relief immediately after an abortion; however, later, they begin to experience negative emotional side effects. These include mild-to-severe regret, guilt, shame, anger, anxiety, depression, and can even lead to physical effects like eating disorders. These are risks just as the physical ones are, and it’s important you’re aware of these possibilities.
At LifeClinic, we offer you in-depth information about abortion and what to expect. If you’re considering abortion, get all the information you need to make the best choice for your health. Schedule an appointment with us today.