Facing an unplanned pregnancy is difficult enough, but then having to decide what to do about it can be even harder. You’re asking the right questions, though.
South Dakota banned abortion, so if you’re considering abortion, you may need to travel. It’s critical to understand the risks beforehand. Infection, heavy and prolonged bleeding, and severe cramping are all possibilities.
Get the information you need now. Schedule an appointment with a client advocate at Bella.
The Risks of Medication Abortion
If your pregnancy is 10 weeks or under, the FDA approves the use of the abortion pill method.
This method is also known as a medication abortion because it uses two drugs to terminate a pregnancy.
Mifepristone, the first drug in the abortion pill method, blocks progesterone from reaching the pregnancy. Progesterone is a vital hormone for all pregnancies. Without it, a pregnancy cannot survive.
The second drug, misoprostol, causes bleeding and cramping to remove the pregnancy from the body. A woman usually takes both drugs within a 24 to 48-hour period.
You can expect to feel some of the following side effects after a medication abortion:
- Cramping (you will always experience this side effect)
- Bleeding (you will always experience this side effect)
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Chills
- Diarrhea
- Headache
The FDA lists the following as some of the risks that could occur with these drugs:
- Heavy bleeding
- Abdominal pain
- Fever
The Mayo Clinic says one of the risks is a possible incomplete abortion, which means the drugs terminated the pregnancy, but not all the tissue left the body.
The Risks of Surgical Abortion
How far along you are in your pregnancy determines the type of surgical procedure you have. Abortion providers can perform vacuum or suction aspiration on earlier pregnancies (12 weeks and under). As the pregnancy continues, the provider uses sharp scraping tools and possibly forceps to remove larger parts.
Most surgical abortions require dilating (opening) the cervix (which leads to your uterus) and may require local or general anesthesia. Side effects include bleeding and cramping. Plus, you may feel nauseous and dizzy from the anesthesia.
The risks of a surgical procedure include the following:
- Perforation (poking a hole) in the uterus
- Damage to the cervix
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall
- Infection
You must contact your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following:
- Heavy bleeding
- Lasting dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fever
- Cramps lasting more than 48 hours
- Pain that gets worse instead of better
- Foul-smelling discharge from the vagina
Let Bella Provide the Information You Need
Choosing abortion is a major life-changing decision with physical and mental health risks. Talk it through with someone who understands the emotions and shock of an unplanned pregnancy.
We provide the services you need to make a confident choice. Confirm your pregnancy first with free and confidential pregnancy testing and a limited obstetrical ultrasound.
You’ll learn exactly how far along you are, the location of your pregnancy, and if it is growing or if you have miscarried. Experts estimate that 26% of all pregnancies end in a miscarriage.
You owe it to yourself to get the facts. Although we do not perform or refer for abortions, we can provide factual information about abortion procedures, expected side effects, and potential risks.
Schedule an appointment with Bella Pregnancy Resource Center today. We’re here for you.
