Medical (Medication) Abortion
If you are considering the abortion pill, make an appointment today. We provide medical information on the abortion pill and abortion procedures, and we can help you make a fully informed decision. The abortion pill is two drugs taken in two separate doses. Another name for the abortion pill is a self-managed abortion or medical abortion.
Mifepristone is a chemical that blocks the action of the hormone progesterone. Progesterone is needed to continue the pregnancy by maintaining the lining of the uterus; this is necessary for normal implantation as well as normal placental attachment and development. Misoprostol causes the uterus to contract and the placenta and the fetus to eventually fall from the uterine wall.
Other side effects and risks of a medical abortion include but are not limited to:
- Heavy bleeding
- Abdominal pain
- Infection
- Fever or chills
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- Nausea, diarrhea and vomiting
- Allergic reactions to medications
- Incomplete abortion
If you fill more than a pad an hour, have a fever over 103 degrees, or are experiencing allergic reactions or vomiting for over 24 hours, contact 911 or your doctor immediately.
Before an abortion, it’s important to talk to a medical professional about your health history and what to do in the event of an allergic reaction to the medication which can be fatal. In states that have been measuring the side effects, reported complications from the abortion pill have increased in the past several years.
Surgical Abortion
A surgical abortion involves the use of a suction or vacuum aspirator to remove the developing baby from the uterus. Suction aspiration is the most common 1st-trimester technique. It is used to terminate a pregnancy up to 14 weeks old.
