If you have confirmed an unexpected pregnancy and are weighing your options, you may be trying to sort out how a medical abortion and a surgical abortion differ.
Both procedures end a pregnancy, but they rely on different drugs or instruments, are used at different points, and carry different risks to your health.
Learning these facts is one of the strongest ways to protect yourself and make a confident decision.
At Alpha Pregnancy Care Center, we provide information on your options as well as free and confidential services to help you confirm your pregnancy and learn important details. Schedule an appointment today to get started.
Medical Abortion
A medical abortion, often called the abortion pill, uses two drugs taken a day or two apart.
Mifepristone works first, blocking the hormone progesterone so the pregnancy stops developing.
Misoprostol follows, causing the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy through cramping and vaginal bleeding.
The FDA approves this method only through the first ten weeks of pregnancy, and using it later is not advised, as this poses additional risks to your health.
Known risks of medical abortion include:
- An incomplete abortion, where tissue remains in the uterus, and a surgical procedure is needed to remove it
- An ongoing pregnancy if the drugs do not work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection and fever
- Digestive symptoms such as an upset stomach
Surgical Abortion
A surgical abortion is a procedure generally used later in pregnancy than the abortion pill.
A provider dilates the cervix, then uses suction or surgical instruments to remove the pregnancy and related tissue from the uterus.
Cramping and vaginal bleeding are expected afterward. Risks specific to this procedure include:
- Perforation of the uterus by a surgical instrument
- Tearing or damage to the cervix
- Scar tissue inside the uterus, which can affect future fertility
- Heavy bleeding
- Infection
- Tissue left behind, which may call for surgical treatment
It is also wise to ask your provider about the plan for emergency care before agreeing to a procedure.
The Effects Are Not Only Physical
Research has also connected abortion to emotional struggles for some women, including grief, anxiety, and depression.
If you have a history of mental health struggles, discussing your specific situation with a healthcare provider is a proactive way to evaluate abortion’s potential impact. Be sure to ask any questions you have; you deserve to make an educated decision.
Why the Details of Your Pregnancy Come First
No matter which method you are considering, an ultrasound scan should come first.
An ultrasound confirms how far along you are and whether the pregnancy is progressing, details that will determine what options are available to you.
The scan will also detect whether the pregnancy is growing outside the uterus. This condition is called an ectopic pregnancy, and it is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.
Get the Facts at Alpha
At Alpha Pregnancy Care Center, we provide the support you need to make the best decision for your health and future.
Our team offers free and confidential pregnancy testing and on-site ultrasound exams so you understand your pregnancy before taking any next step.
We will also take the time to answer all your questions and walk you through your options.
Contact us today to schedule your free, confidential appointment.
Alpha Pregnancy Care Center does not provide or refer for abortions.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.
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