Abortion

Considering abortion?

For many women, an unplanned pregnancy is a scary and lonely time, not the “surprise” you want. We get it. Choosing what to do about your pregnancy is a big decision.

You feel your only option is abortion and getting back to “normal.”  However, you’re going to be living a new normal no matter what you choose. Pregnancy changes you.

Missouri’s abortion laws recently changed. It is now banned completely in our state.

What Are The Different Types of abortion?

There are two main types of abortion: medical and surgical. The procedure you have is determined by how far along you are in your pregnancy.

Medical Abortion

In states where abortion is legal, medical abortion is performed early in a woman’s pregnancy. The abortion pill method is a medical abortion because it uses two different drugs to terminate a pregnancy.

The FDA has approved this method through 70 days gestation (70 days or less since the first day of a woman’s last menstrual period). The first drug, mifepristone, blocks a hormone called progesterone from reaching the uterus. A pregnancy cannot survive without progesterone.

A woman takes the second drug, misoprostol, around 24 to 72 hours later. This drug causes contractions and heavy bleeding to expel the pregnancy from the uterus.

To avoid health risks, it’s essential to know the gestational age of your pregnancy. An ultrasound provides that information.

Risks of Medical Abortion

• Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
• Heavy and prolonged bleeding
• Infection
• Fever
• Digestive system discomfort

Surgical Abortion

The type of surgical abortion used is determined by the number of weeks you’ve been pregnant. The methods range from:

• Vacuum Aspiration. This method uses a vacuum or suction device to remove the pregnancy from the uterus.
• Dilation and curettage (D & C). The doctor removes the uterine contents using suction and scraping of the uterine lining.
• Dilation and evacuation (D & E). A combination of suction, scraping, and the use of forceps is used to remove the larger pregnancy.

Risks of Surgical Abortion

• Perforation of the uterus
• Damage to the cervix
• Scar tissue on the uterine wall
• Infection

What Should I Do First?

Before you move forward with an abortion, schedule a free Medical Consultation and Pregnancy Evaluation at the Pregnancy Help Center LOZ with licensed medical professionals. You receive:

• Free lab-quality pregnancy testing
• Free limited obstetrical ultrasound, which dates your pregnancy, determines if it’s viable (developing) and its location.
• Free options consultation
• Free resources and referrals