Abortion is a medical procedure, and like any procedure, it involves potential risks. If you are facing an unexpected pregnancy, understanding those risks along with the details of your pregnancy can help you make an informed decision about your health.
Before moving forward, it’s important to gather accurate medical information about your pregnancy, including how far along you are and whether the pregnancy is developing and in the proper location. At Anchor of Hope, we offer confidential pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and abortion information consultations free of charge, so you can better understand the details about your pregnancy and explore your options with clarity.
Request a medical appointment today to get the information you need.
Types of Abortion
Abortion generally falls into two categories: chemical abortion and surgical abortion.
The abortion pill (medical/chemical abortion) involves two drugs taken in sequence and is FDA-approved through 10 weeks of gestation. The first drug, mifepristone, blocks progesterone, a hormone necessary to sustain a pregnancy. The second drug, misoprostol, is taken one to two days later and causes the uterus to contract and empty.
This process may vary. Some women report mild vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping. Others report heavy bleeding lasting for weeks. Other side effects may include nausea, fever, chills, diarrhea, or headache.
Surgical abortion is performed in a clinical setting and involves first dilating the cervix, then using suction and/or surgical instruments to manually remove the pregnancy and empty the uterus. Local anesthesia, sedation, or stronger anesthesia may be used.
Each method carries different risks and considerations.
Risks of the Abortion Pill
The abortion pill causes abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding, which are expected as the pregnancy is expelled. However, possible risks may include:
- Heavy or prolonged bleeding
- Severe abdominal pain
- Fever or chills
- Infection
- Digestive system discomfort
- An incomplete abortion, which may require a follow-up surgical procedure
Emergency medical care may be necessary if complications arise.
Risks of Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortion procedures also carry potential risks, including:
- Uterine perforation (if a surgical instrument punctures the uterus)
- Damage to the cervix
- Infection
- Heavy bleeding
- Formation of scar tissue inside the uterus
These risks may affect your long-term reproductive health and future ability to carry a pregnancy.
Why an Ultrasound Matters First
Before considering abortion, confirming key pregnancy details is important for your safety.
A pregnancy test can detect the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), but it cannot determine:
- How far along you are in your pregnancy
- Whether the pregnancy is located in the uterus
- Whether the pregnancy is developing
An ultrasound can rule out ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside the uterus, commonly in a fallopian tube), which can become life-threatening if untreated. Abortion drugs do not resolve an ectopic pregnancy.
An ultrasound can also confirm viability by detecting a fetal heartbeat, helping determine whether the pregnancy is progressing or if a miscarriage has already occurred.
We’re Here to Help
Learning about the potential risks, along with understanding your pregnancy, allows you to make a decision based on medical facts rather than pressure or assumptions.
At Anchor of Hope, we provide pregnancy testing, limited ultrasound, and options consultations so you can receive accurate information about your pregnancy and your choices.
Schedule an appointment at Anchor of Hope to learn the details of your pregnancy. We’re here to support you as you consider your next steps.
Anchor of Hope does not perform or refer for abortions.