Abortion

Thinking about abortion?
Get all the answers you need to make the choice that is right for you.

In order to know which type of abortion you would be eligible for, you need to have an ultrasound exam to confirm viability of your pregnancy (show a fetal heartbeat inside the uterus) and determine exactly how far along your pregnancy is (gestational age). We offer free pregnancy tests and referrals for free limited obstetrical ultrasound exams. Call today to schedule a confidential appointment. Until then, you can estimate the gestational age by counting the number of weeks from the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP).

Fewer than 9 weeks after LMP
RU 486 (Mifepristone (Mifeprex) and Misoprostol)
The” Abortion Pill”

  • Mifepristone is given during your first office visit. Mifepristone is a pill which blocks progesterone from the uterine lining. This is the hormone which keeps the pregnancy alive. Without nourishment, the fetus dies. This alone may cause contractions to expel the fetus.
  • You return home for 36 to 48 hours. You may expel the fetus during this time.
  • Misoprostol tablets are given orally or inserted vaginally during the second office visit 36 to 48 hours later.
  • You will return home where the misoprostol will start contractions and expel the fetus. This may occur within a few hours or in some cases up to two weeks after taking the misoprostol.
  • A physical exam is done two weeks later to ensure the abortion was complete and that there are no immediate complications.

Risks and Side Effects:

  • The procedure is unsuccessful approximately 5-8% of the time, thus requiring an additional surgical abortion procedure to complete the termination or stop heavy bleeding.
  • Cramping
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Heavy bleeding
  • Infection
  • Not advised for women who have anemia, bleeding disorders, liver or kidney disease, seizure disorder, acute inflammatory bowel disease, or use an intrauterine device (IUD)

Fetal Development Week 5-9:

  • Development of brain and spinal cord
  • Heart begins to beat
  • Hands and feet are forming
  • Every essential organ has begun to form
  • Bones begin to form, muscles can contract

6-12 Week after LMP
Suction Aspiration or Vacuum Aspiration

  • You will lie on your back with your feet in stirrups. A speculum is inserted to open the vagina.
  • A local anesthetic is administered to numb the cervix. Then, a tenaculum [a slender sharp pointed hook attached to a handle, used mainly in surgery for seizing and holding parts] is used to hold the cervix in place for the cervix to be dilated by cone shaped rods.
  • When the cervical opening is wide enough, a cannula [a long, hollow plastic tube] connected to a high-power 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 several hours.

Risks and Side Effects

  • Cramping
  • Nausea
  • Sweating
  • Feeling faint
  • Possible heavy or prolong bleeding
  • Blood clots
  • Damage to the cervix or uterine lining
  • Perforation of the uterus
  • Infection due to retained products of conception or infection caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI), causing fever, pain, abdominal tenderness and possibly scarring.

Fetal Development week 9-13:

  • Genitals have formed
  • Baby can make a fist
  • Buds for baby teeth appear

12-21 Weeks after LMP
D&C (Dilation & Curettage (12-15 weeks)

  • Dilation and curettage is similar to suction aspiration, except that it uses a curette [a long, loop-shaped knife] to scrape the placenta and fetus away from the uterine lining.
  • A suction cannula [a long, hollow plastic tube] may be inserted to suction out remaining debris.
  • This procedure usually lasts 10-15 minutes but recovery may require staying at the clinic for several hours.
  • This procedure has the same risks as the suction aspiration, but heavy bleeding is more likely than with suction aspiration.

D&E (Dilation & Evacuation (15-21 weeks)

  • In most cases, 24 hours prior to the actual procedure, the abortion provider will insert laminaria or a synthetic dilator into the patient’s cervix. This is necessary because the cervix must be dilated much more than for an early abortion.
  • The next day, cone-shaped rods of increasing size are used to continue the dilation of the cervix.
  • Forceps [a hinged instrument used for grasping and holding parts] are used to remove larger fetal parts.
  • A cannula is inserted to help suck tissue away from the uterine lining. Then using a curette, the lining is scraped to remove any residual tissue.
  • The procedure normally takes about 30 minutes and is usually performed in a hospital setting because of the greater risk for complications.

Risks and Side Effects

  • Nausea, bleeding and cramping may occur for two weeks following the procedure.
  • Infection due to retained products of conception or infection caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI), causing fever, pain, abdominal tenderness and possibly scarring.
  • Damage to uterine lining or cervix
  • Perforation of the uterus
  • Infection
  • Blood clots

Induction or Prostaglandin Abortion

  • Prostaglandin is a drug which may be injected into the womb, or given as a pill. It causes strong uterine contractions.
  • To ensure that the baby will be dead upon delivery the abortionist may inject saline or urea.
  • Digoxin or potassium chloride will be injected into the baby’s heart to kill the child before delivery.

Risks and Side Effects

  • Nausea, bleeding and cramping may occur for two weeks following the procedure.
  • Infection due to retained products of conception or infection caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI), causing fever, pain, abdominal tenderness and possibly scarring.
  • Damage to uterine lining or cervix
  • Perforation of the uterus
  • Infection
  • Blood clots

Dilation & Extraction or Partial-birth Abortion

  • After undergoing two days of dilation, the abortionist performs an ultrasound to locate the child’s legs and feet.
  • The abortionist then uses a large forceps to grasp one of the baby’s legs, pulls firmly, forcing the child into a feet down position.
  • The baby’s body is delivered in a manner similar to a breech birth. The baby’s head remains inside the birth canal. The abortionist uses a surgical scissors to pierce the child’s head at the base of the skull.
  • The abortionist then inserts a suction catheter into the brain and vacuums out the child’s brain tissue.

Risks and Side Effects

  • Nausea, bleeding and cramping may occur for two weeks following the procedure.
  • Infection due to retained products of conception or infection caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI), causing fever, pain, abdominal tenderness and possibly scarring.
  • Damage to uterine lining or cervix
  • Perforation of the uterus
  • Infection
  • Blood clots

Fetal Development week 14-16:

  • Fingerprints have developed
  • Baby begins sucking
  • Patient can feel baby start to move (fluttering)

Fetal Development Week 17-20

  • Nails growing on fingers and toes
  • Eyebrows and eyelashes grow in

Patient feels baby’s movements more strongly

Abortion Safety Checklist

Before you visit an abortion clinic or provider, we strongly encourage you to ask yourself these important health and safety questions:

  1. Have you confirmed your pregnancy?

It’s important to be sure that you are pregnant; it is possible to receive a false indication of pregnancy. Daybreak offers free, reliable pregnancy tests and referrals for a free limited obstetrical ultrasound that checks the viability of your pregnancy.

  1. Do you understand the risks involved in an abortion procedure?

Abortion is a medical procedure and does involve the risk of physical harm. You have the legal right to be informed of the type of procedure you will receive, as well as any potential complications. Ask as many questions as you need, to make sure you understand all that is involved, physically and emotionally.

  1. Did you investigate the qualifications of your potential abortion provider?

Find out the name of the doctor who will perform your abortion procedure, and confirm that he or she is a licensed physician and a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist. Call and ask if the doctor has appropriate privileges to admit you to a hospital in the event that there is an emergency. Also, many states maintain public records about past medical malpractice judgments and settlements. Call your state agency (medical licensing board) to see if the doctor has been involved in any medical malpractice suits.

  1. Ask how complications are handled.

Abortion providers may not provide any follow-up or emergency care, should complications arise. Ask the abortion clinic if the abortion doctor has admitting privileges to a hospital nearby should you require emergency care.

  1. Do you understand that it’s OK to change your mind?

Abortion is your choice—meaning you can change your mind at any time. It’s OK to say, “I need more time to consider my decision,” if you are in the waiting room or even on the table prepped for your procedure. Don’t feel pressured to proceed just because you feel like you have to. It’s your body; you have the right to listen to your instincts

We are here to help. Call us today for an appointment!

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