You are staring at a positive pregnancy test, and your mind begins to fill with questions. How am I going to do this? What are my options?
It is normal to feel scared and overwhelmed upon learning you are pregnant. Perhaps you are not prepared to have a child, or you do not know what kinds of decisions you will have to make. All of these feelings are valid, and no one has the right to tell you otherwise. It is important to understand all of your pregnancy options so that you feel empowered to make an informed decision.
What Is Abortion?
Abortion is the termination of a viable pregnancy. You may have heard of the different types of abortion before, but perhaps you do not know much about them. There are two types of abortion: medical and surgical.
A medical abortion occurs when two medications, mifepristone and misoprostol, are taken to remove the pregnancy tissue from the uterus. Mifepristone blocks progesterone, which helps to sustain a pregnancy. It also prevents a fertilized egg from continuing to be implanted in the uterus. Misoprostol causes the uterus to contract and expels the embryo and pregnancy tissue through the vagina.
risks of medical abortion
There are risks associated with the abortion pill you should be aware of to remain proactive and protect your health. These risks include:
– Fever
– Heavy and prolonged bleeding
– Infection
– Digestive system discomfort
– An ongoing pregnancy (if the procedure doesn’t work)
– Incomplete abortion (which may need to be followed by surgical abortion)
You may also experience vaginal bleeding and cramping.
Surgical abortion is a more complex procedure. During a surgical abortion, small instruments or medication open the cervix. Then, an instrument called a curette or surgical instruments are used to remove the fetus and the pregnancy tissue from the uterus.
Risks of surgical abortion
Just like a medical abortion, a surgical abortion does have certain risks, including:
– Scar tissue on the uterine wall
– Perforation of the uterus
– Infection
– Damage to the cervix
Take the necessary steps to safeguard your health by arming yourself with the facts!