Abortion

If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy, you might be considering abortion. It’s common to feel overwhelmed or uncertain in this situation, and you may want to make a quick decision. However, abortion, whether medical or surgical, comes with potential physical and emotional risks. You deserve to understand all your options before making a choice.

At Life Choices Medical Clinic, we believe in equipping you with accurate, evidence-based medical information so you can make a fully informed decision with confidence. While we do not perform or refer for abortions, we provide free pregnancy services and consultations to help you understand what’s involved in each abortion method and what steps you should take first.

Abortion Procedures: What You Should Know

There are two primary types of abortion: medical abortion (often called the abortion pill) and surgical abortion. The method used depends mainly on how far along you are in your pregnancy.

Medical Abortion

Approved by the FDA for pregnancies up to 10 weeks, medical abortion uses two drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol. The first drug blocks progesterone, a hormone essential for maintaining pregnancy. The second drug causes contractions to expel the pregnancy from the uterus.

This method can cause abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding as well as other side effects such as:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever or chills
• Diarrhea
• Headache

Possible risks include:

• The body not releasing all pregnancy tissue in the uterus, also called an incomplete abortion. This may require a surgical abortion
• An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
• Heavy and prolonged bleeding
• Infection
• Fever
• Digestive symptoms such as an upset stomach

Surgical Abortion

For pregnancies beyond the first trimester, surgical abortion may be required. Common methods include suction aspiration or dilation and curettage (D&C), depending on gestational age. These procedures involve opening the cervix and using surgical tools to remove the pregnancy.

Potential risks and side effects include:

• Bleeding and cramping
• Infection
• Uterine perforation
• Damage to the cervix
• Absent or painful periods, which could lead to miscarriages or infertility

What To Do Before Making a Decision

Before considering any abortion procedure, it’s essential to confirm your pregnancy and understand how far along you are. At Life Choices Medical Clinic, we offer free medical-grade pregnancy testing. We may refer you for a limited ultrasound to determine gestational age, confirm the location of the pregnancy, and check for viability (whether the pregnancy is developing or if you’ve miscarried).

These are key pieces of information that every woman should have before making an abortion decision.

We’re Here for You

This is your health and your future. You shouldn’t have to face it alone or uninformed. Let our compassionate medical team provide you with the support and clarity you need. Schedule your free appointment today.