What Kind of Abortions Are There?
Considering an abortion? Find out what types of abortions take place at different gestational ages.
Medication Abortion (Abortion Pill), And Surgical Abortions Are Common Ways to Terminate a Pregnancy.
Keep reading to learn more about each option.
While many women who have abortions experience no adverse side-effects, there are real and significant risks associated with each method of abortion.
Medication Abortion (Abortion Pill)
Mifeprex
Mifeprex (also known as the abortion pill or RU486) is the most common type of medication abortion. It is a chemical abortion procedure that involves taking two pills that are taken with the first 70 days of pregnancy. Mifepristone blocks the flow of progesterone, the hormone that stabilizes pregnancies. The second medication, Misoprostol, induces labor-like contractions to expel the developing fetus. Common side effects include strong cramping, excessive bleeding, nausea and vomiting. It is possible that after these two pills, women will still need a surgical procedure to complete the abortion.
In 2016, the FDA approved a regimen for taking Mifeprex in conjunction with Misoprostol to terminate an early pregnancy. The regimen involves taking Mifeprex by mouth. Twenty-four to forty-right hours later Misoporostol can be taken buccally (in the cheek pouch). Lastly, women should follow up with their health care providers seven to fourteen days later (FDA, 2018). Many women experience adverse side-effects from the abortion pill. Read more about the risks here.
Surgical Abortions
There are two types of surgical abortions: aspiration abortions and D&E abortions (dilation and evacuation)
Aspiration Abortion
Also known as Suction Curettage Abortion. This is the most common surgical abortion. This procedure involves using either a syringe or vacuum to suck the developing fetus out of your body. As with any other surgery, you should expect to feel some side effects including cramping, nausea, sweating, and faintness.
D&E Abortion
The Dilation and Evacuation procedure combines vacuum aspiration, dilation and curettage, and forceps. For this procedure, you are given a sedative and an injection in your cervix, while forceps are used to remove larger sections of the fetus. A curette is then used to scrape the lining of the uterus, while suctioning any remnants out of your body (Mayo Clinic, 2019).
Contact us.
Questions, Comments, or Concerns? Contact us today.
(651) 340-9062