Abortion
Abortions used to terminate a pregnancy are medical or surgical. The cost and type of an abortion procedure is often determined by how many weeks a woman is into the pregnancy. Each one has risks and possible complications. Other options are available, and Mary's Outreach is here to help you find the information you need to decide what is best for you. Contact us today.
MEDICAL ABORTION
Mifepristone is a drug that blocks a hormone called progesterone that is needed for pregnancy to continue. It causes the uterine lining to thin and the pregnancy to detach from the uterine wall. Mifepristone, when used together with another medicine called misoprostol, is used to end an early pregnancy by inducing an abortion. About 5-8 out of 100 women taking mifepristone will need a surgical procedure to complete the abortion or to stop too much bleeding.
Symptoms to expect. This treatment causes cramping and bleeding. Usually, these symptoms mean that the treatment is working to induce an abortion. But sometimes women can get cramping and bleeding and still be pregnant. This is why a woman who chooses an abortion by this method must return to her provider to ensure the abortion is complete.
If a woman is not already bleeding after taking Mifeprex, she probably will begin to bleed once she takes misoprostol. Bleeding or spotting can be expected for an average of 9-16 days and may last for up to 30 days. The bleeding may be similar to, or greater than, a normal heavy period. The woman may see tissue and blood clots that come from her uterus and can range in size from a dime to a large lemon. Sometimes the embryo may be seen in these clots.
Misoprostol may cause cramps, nausea, diarrhea, and other symptoms. Other side effects of this method include vomiting, headache, dizziness, back pain, and tiredness.
Heavy bleeding and the need for surgery. In about 1 out of 100 women, bleeding can be so heavy that it requires a surgical procedure to stop it.
Not all women should take mifepristone, including those taking certain other medications, those more than 49 days (7 weeks) past their last menstrual period, and those who cannot easily get emergency medical help in the 2 weeks after taking it.
SURGICAL ABORTION
Vacuum Aspiration/Suction Curettage (first trimester)
Suction aspiration is a surgical abortion procedure performed during the first 6 to 12 weeks gestation. It is also referred to as suction curettage or vacuum aspiration.
You will lie on your back with your feet in stirrups and a speculum is inserted to open the vagina. A local anesthetic is administered to your cervix. Then a tenaculum is used to hold the cervix in place for the cervix to be dilated by cone shaped rods. When the cervix is wide enough, a cannula, which is a long plastic tube connected to a suction device, is inserted into the uterus to suction out the fetus and placenta. The procedure usually lasts 10-15 minutes, but recovery may require staying at the clinic for a few hours. Mild to strong menstrual-like cramping may occur during the procedure.
What are the side effects and risks of suction aspiration?
Common side effects that most women will experience during and following the procedure include cramping, nausea, sweating, and feeling faint.
Other side effects include possible heavy or prolonged bleeding, blood clots, damage to the cervix, and perforation of the uterus. Infection due to retained products of conception or infection caused by an STD or bacteria being introduced to the uterus can cause fever, pain, abdominal tenderness, and possibly scar tissue. You may also experience an incomplete abortion.
WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW?
As with any medical procedure, you have a right to know all of the risks and any other information that might affect your decision to have an abortion. However, if you don’t ask for this information you may make an uninformed decision.
Here are some important questions you will want to discuss before you decide to have an abortion.
1. Will the abortion procedure hurt?
2. If I decide that an abortion is not for me, what options and supportive services do you have available to me ?
3. What is my unborn baby like right now based on how far along I am? What can the baby do? What can the baby feel?
4. What are the problems I may experience during and after an abortion?
5. Is it possible to suffer psychological problems after an abortion?
6. What are the chances I will experience the following physical problems:
7. Tell me about the following psychological problems and the chances I will experience any of them:
8. If I have complications, who will treat me?
9. If I need to be hospitalized, do you have hospital admitting privileges and at what hospital?
For more information call Mary's Outreach at (727) 323-5100.
The information contained on this site herein is for educational purposes only and is not meant for diagnosis or treatment. Any information found on this site herein should be discussed with a health care professional. Use of this information should be done in accordance with the health care plan outlined by your health care professional. For specific medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment, consult your doctor.
MEDICAL ABORTION
Mifepristone is a drug that blocks a hormone called progesterone that is needed for pregnancy to continue. It causes the uterine lining to thin and the pregnancy to detach from the uterine wall. Mifepristone, when used together with another medicine called misoprostol, is used to end an early pregnancy by inducing an abortion. About 5-8 out of 100 women taking mifepristone will need a surgical procedure to complete the abortion or to stop too much bleeding.
Symptoms to expect. This treatment causes cramping and bleeding. Usually, these symptoms mean that the treatment is working to induce an abortion. But sometimes women can get cramping and bleeding and still be pregnant. This is why a woman who chooses an abortion by this method must return to her provider to ensure the abortion is complete.
If a woman is not already bleeding after taking Mifeprex, she probably will begin to bleed once she takes misoprostol. Bleeding or spotting can be expected for an average of 9-16 days and may last for up to 30 days. The bleeding may be similar to, or greater than, a normal heavy period. The woman may see tissue and blood clots that come from her uterus and can range in size from a dime to a large lemon. Sometimes the embryo may be seen in these clots.
Misoprostol may cause cramps, nausea, diarrhea, and other symptoms. Other side effects of this method include vomiting, headache, dizziness, back pain, and tiredness.
Heavy bleeding and the need for surgery. In about 1 out of 100 women, bleeding can be so heavy that it requires a surgical procedure to stop it.
Not all women should take mifepristone, including those taking certain other medications, those more than 49 days (7 weeks) past their last menstrual period, and those who cannot easily get emergency medical help in the 2 weeks after taking it.
SURGICAL ABORTION
Vacuum Aspiration/Suction Curettage (first trimester)
Suction aspiration is a surgical abortion procedure performed during the first 6 to 12 weeks gestation. It is also referred to as suction curettage or vacuum aspiration.
You will lie on your back with your feet in stirrups and a speculum is inserted to open the vagina. A local anesthetic is administered to your cervix. Then a tenaculum is used to hold the cervix in place for the cervix to be dilated by cone shaped rods. When the cervix is wide enough, a cannula, which is a long plastic tube connected to a suction device, is inserted into the uterus to suction out the fetus and placenta. The procedure usually lasts 10-15 minutes, but recovery may require staying at the clinic for a few hours. Mild to strong menstrual-like cramping may occur during the procedure.
What are the side effects and risks of suction aspiration?
Common side effects that most women will experience during and following the procedure include cramping, nausea, sweating, and feeling faint.
Other side effects include possible heavy or prolonged bleeding, blood clots, damage to the cervix, and perforation of the uterus. Infection due to retained products of conception or infection caused by an STD or bacteria being introduced to the uterus can cause fever, pain, abdominal tenderness, and possibly scar tissue. You may also experience an incomplete abortion.
WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW?
As with any medical procedure, you have a right to know all of the risks and any other information that might affect your decision to have an abortion. However, if you don’t ask for this information you may make an uninformed decision.
Here are some important questions you will want to discuss before you decide to have an abortion.
1. Will the abortion procedure hurt?
2. If I decide that an abortion is not for me, what options and supportive services do you have available to me ?
3. What is my unborn baby like right now based on how far along I am? What can the baby do? What can the baby feel?
4. What are the problems I may experience during and after an abortion?
5. Is it possible to suffer psychological problems after an abortion?
6. What are the chances I will experience the following physical problems:
- Retained Products of conception
- Damage to the Cervix
- Damage to the uterus
- Hemorrhage
- Infection
- Perforation of the Uterus
- Sterility
- Complications with future pregnancies
7. Tell me about the following psychological problems and the chances I will experience any of them:
- Anniversary Syndrome
- Sexual Dysfunction
- Suicidal Thoughts
- Interference with Personal Relationships
- Depression
8. If I have complications, who will treat me?
9. If I need to be hospitalized, do you have hospital admitting privileges and at what hospital?
For more information call Mary's Outreach at (727) 323-5100.
The information contained on this site herein is for educational purposes only and is not meant for diagnosis or treatment. Any information found on this site herein should be discussed with a health care professional. Use of this information should be done in accordance with the health care plan outlined by your health care professional. For specific medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment, consult your doctor.
