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What Are the Different Types of Abortion?

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If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy and considering abortion, it’s important to arm yourself with the facts to protect your health and safety. 

Read on to learn more about the different types of abortion and the associated risks. 

Medical Abortion

A medical abortion, also known as the “abortion pill,” is a combination of two different drugs—mifepristone and misoprostol—that work together to end and then expel a pregnancy through the vagina. 

The potential risks associated with a medical abortion include but aren’t limited to:

  • Hemorrhaging (losing too much blood)

  • Infection (that could become life-threatening)

  • Incomplete abortion (which is when parts of the pregnancy remain in the uterus)

A medical abortion is only FDA-approved for pregnancies under 10 weeks, and the chance of experiencing any of these risks is increased if the abortion drugs are taken later in pregnancy. 

Surgical Abortion

A surgical abortion usually occurs later in pregnancy, and it involves dilating the cervix so that a medical instrument can remove the pregnancy from the uterus. 

The potential risks associated with surgical abortion include but aren’t limited to: 

  • Cervical damage

  • Uterine scarring (which can lead to painful menstrual periods or infertility)

  • Infection (that could become life-threatening)

Next Steps

If you received a positive result on a pregnancy test, or if you’ve missed your period and think you might be pregnant, the most important action to take is to get an ultrasound. An ultrasound can confirm your pregnancy and reveal key details that are vital when considering your options.

Some key details that ultrasound can confirm include:

  • Age of pregnancy—knowing this information is necessary for protecting your health if you’re considering a medical abortion. 

  • Location of pregnancy—this ensures that you’re not experiencing a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy. 

You’re Not Alone

Facing an unplanned pregnancy can make you feel like you’re walking alone in the dark, but at Women’s Pregnancy Center, we’re here to shine a light. Contact us today to receive a free ultrasound or learn more about our other no-cost and confidential pregnancy resources.