Are You Thinking About An Abortion?
As with any other medical procedure, it’s important that you are fully informed of the health implications and associated risks. There are several different types of abortions, including the abortion pill such as Plan B or RU 486, and surgical abortions, which are more invasive. Abortion procedures can cost anywhere from $500 to $5,000. If you are considering an abortion and have questions regarding the types of procedures, we can provide you with the resources you need to make an informed decision.
What Is My First Step?
Before you consider your options, you need to confirm that you are pregnant. At Aspire Women’s Center, you can get a free pregnancy test and ultrasound, performed by a registered nurse, to determine whether you are pregnant. If your pregnancy is confirmed, our friendly, knowledgable staff can help you understand the facts and risks associated with each abortion procedure.
What Are The Different Types of Abortion Procedures?
Plan B
Plan B, or the “morning after pill,” is a high-dosage birth control pill that women can take 72 hours after intercourse. It is effective in ending a pregnancy by preventing an egg from being released, interfering with a woman’s menstrual cycle, or preventing the egg from implanting in the uterus. Some side effects include nausea, dizziness, abdominal pain, headaches, and vomiting.
RU 486
RU 486 is a series of two pills that are used for an early medical abortion. The first pill will cut off the blood flow to the embryo and the second will induce labor. The second pill will cause severe cramps, bleeding, nausea and vomiting. It is possible that after these two pills, women will still need a surgical abortion to effectively complete the procedure.
Surgical Abortions
The most common surgical abortion procedure is the Manual or Vacuum Aspiration procedure. This procedure involves using either a syringe or vacuum to suck the pregnancy from the uterine wall. Most common symptoms during the procedure include cramping, nausea, sweating and faintness.
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 cervical area, while forceps are used to removed larger sections of the pregnancy. A curette is then used to scrape the lining of the uterus, while suctioning any remnants out of the cavity.
What Are The Risks Involved With Having An Abortion?
As with any medical procedure, there are possible risks to any abortion procedure. Those risk include heavy bleeding, infection, damage to cervix, damage to the uterus or uterine lining, damage to other internal organs, sepsis (total body infection caused by RU486), loss of future fertility and death. When you make your appointment, you will be given complete information on the health risks associated with abortion.