Abortion
Pregnancy Termination
There are probably a million thoughts going through your mind right now. What about my future? How will I ever go to college or continue college? I just found the perfect job. Is this going to ruin it? Should I keep the baby or terminate the pregnancy? This wasn’t supposed to happen. What will my parents think? Who is the father? What will he think? What will my husband think? How can I pay for another child? We understand. We see women in several different circumstances.
Our trained peer counselors are available to listen. We can also discuss with you any questions you may have regarding barriers to continuing a pregnancy as well as abortion procedures and the potential risks associated with abortion.
What kind of abortions are there?
There are medical and surgical abortion procedures. The type of abortion available depends on factors, such as is the pregnancy viable and how far along you are in your pregnancy.
What should I consider around an abortion?
Terminating your pregnancy is a monumental decision and you need to be fully informed about what’s happening to your body, your medical rights, and abortion options. Abortion is a medical procedure and should be taken into consideration as such. You wouldn’t go to the dentist to get a tooth pulled without knowing exactly what the dentist is going to do, would you? The same principle applies here. You need to know exactly what abortion procedures are available, the potential risks associated with each, as well as the physical and emotional impact.
You have many things to consider. It’s important for you to determine what is best for you, now and in the future. You have a right to get all the facts. This is not something to make a rushed decision on. Your body and your health are important. Take the time, learn your options, and then make your decision. No matter what you choose; this pregnancy and your next decision is a decision that will impact your life, for the rest of your life.
Loving Arms Pregnancy Center neither provides nor refers for abortion, we can provide the education and information you are looking for as it relates to abortion procedures and potential risks. It is your pregnancy, your right to know, and your decision. We are committed to providing you with the knowledge and caring support you are looking for as you make your next decision.
Ru-486, The Abortion Pill
Otherwise known as the Abortion Pill, this pill(s) can terminate an embryo up to 10 weeks gestation. RU-486 is considered a medical abortion (not surgical) and requires a prescription. It is actually 2 different pills and is a three-step process:
First, take Mifepristone. This medication actually blocks your body’s ability to recognize progesterone by the uterus. Progesterone is one of the hormones that your uterus needs to maintain the life of the embryo. By blocking progesterone, the lining of the uterus begins to break down. Then, the life of the growing embryo is ended.
Secondly, take Misoprostol. Misoprostol causes the uterus to contract causing the embryo, lining of the uterus, and the embryonic sac to exit the uterus. This process usually takes 24-48 hours and causes extreme bleeding and strong uterine cramping. Do not use tampons during the process, only use pads.
Lastly, return to the clinic to confirm that the procedure is complete. Your doctor will ask you a variety of questions from if you were able to see the expulsion of the gestational sac or embryo, to how much bleeding did you experience, and if you think you are still experiencing pregnancy symptoms.
This is very important because the Abortion Pill is not 100% effective and you may still be pregnant. If that is the case, then a surgical abortion will be the next step.
Your period should return within the next 2 months after the abortion process.
What you need to know: The abortion pill is not taken in a hospital. It is taken at home. Since heavy bleeding and cramping accompany it, it is important that you have someone with you in case of an emergency. Other symptoms during the process can include:
- Mild fever and chills
- Light lactation
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and sometimes vomiting
Things to be aware of when taking RU-486 (The Abortion Pill)
- This is not intended to be used past the 10-week window
- Talk with a physician about using an IUD
- Do you have a blood clotting condition and/or you are taking blood-clotting medication.
- Determine if you are willing to continue with a surgical abortion if the pill fails.
Please contact your doctor or go to the ER if you are experiencing any of these symptoms after taking the abortion pill:
- Foul smelling vaginal discharge
- Blood clots that occur for 2 hours or more.
- Excessive bleeding (fills up more than 2 pads in an hour and happens for 2 hours or more)
- A fever of 100 F or higher.
- Severe depression and/or suicidal thoughts.
What if I change my mind? Can the abortion pill be reversed?
The simple answer is yes! If done in time.
There is an effective process called abortion pill reversal that can reverse the effects of the abortion pill and allow you to continue your pregnancy, but time is of the essence.
The abortion pill is the common name for a chemical abortion process that combines two medications: mifepristone and misoprostol. It is also referred to as medical abortion, self-managed abortion, or RU-486. After taking the first pill, some women regret their choice and want to reverse it. That's where abortion pill reversal comes in.
Using the natural hormone progesterone, medical professionals have been able to save 64-68% of pregnancies through abortion pill reversal.
To learn more or find a provider for the APR click here (link to https://www.abortionpillreversal.com/abortion-pill-reversal
Aspiration Abortion (first trimester):
Aspiration Abortion is commonly referred to as a suction abortion and considered a surgical procedure. This is a one-day procedure available up to the 14th week of pregnancy. It should entail local anesthesia and oral pain relievers. It is common that this procedure could take between 3 – 6 or more hours. It should only be performed in a medical setting.
The Procedure:
- You should receive oral pain medications such as Vicodin, Valium, and ibuprofen. If you are more than 12 weeks pregnant, you should also receive misoprostol which causes the cervix to soften and dilation to occur.
- If you are less than 12 weeks pregnant, you will begin your procedure in about an hour to allow the pain relievers to kick in.
- If you are over 12 weeks pregnant, the misoprostol needs a few hours to work.
- After the medications are working, you will go into the procedure room and be asked to undress from the waist down.
- The doctor will use a tool called the “speculum” to view inside your vagina.
- Your vagina will be cleaned with soapy gauze and numbing medication applied to your cervix.
- The use of metal rods will then be used to dilate your cervix.
- A tube will be inserted into your uterus.
- The doctor will then apply suction from a machine to the end of the tube and remove the embryo through the tube.
- The doctor will check to make sure the complete embryo has been suctioned out, and if not, repeat suction.
Side Effects:
- Cramping
- Dizziness
- Bleeding (including blood clots)
What you need to know: Any surgical procedure has risk involved. If you experience any of these symptoms go to the emergency room or call your doctor.
- Fever (this is usually a sign of infection)
- Blood clots the size of a ping-pong ball being passed for 2 or more hours
- Bleeding that goes through 2 pads in an hour for more than an hour
- Vaginal discharge that is foul smelling
- Pain and cramping that gets worse over time
- Continued pregnancy symptoms
Dilation and Evacuation (D&E):
This surgical type of abortion is the most commonly used in second-trimester abortion. It takes place usually between 15 weeks and 23 weeks gestation. It takes a couple of days for the entire procedure.
The Procedure:
- In many cases, your doctor will insert laminaria (or another synthetic dilator) inside your cervix 24 hours before the procedure.
- When a woman comes back the next day, she should be offered antibiotics to prevent infection and may be administered anesthesia for the procedure.
- The doctor will then begin to open the cervix using metal dilators and a speculum.
- Then, the doctor will insert a large suction catheter into the uterus emptying the amniotic fluid.
- When the amniotic fluid is removed, a Sopher clamp (an instrument that allows the doctor to grasp the fetus) is then used to pull out the fetus.
- This can take several attempts.
- After the fetus is removed, the doctor will use a curette instrument to scrape the inside of the uterus, remove the placenta, and any other remaining tissue.
- All tissue and fetal matter are examined to determine that everything was removed and the procedure is complete.
What you need to know:
- There may be irregular bleeding and spotting during the first 2 weeks.
- Avoid tampons, only use pads.
- Cramping that resembles menstrual cramps may occur, lasting a few hours to a few days as the uterus shrinks returns to its average size.
- Antibiotics are given to prevent infection.
- Over the counter pain medication can be taken to help alleviate pain.
Contact the doctor or visit the emergency room if you have any of these symptoms:
- Bleeding heavily for 12 or more hours in a row.
- Soaking more than 2 pads in an hour, for 2 or more hours in a row.
- Blood clots the size of a ping-pong ball being passed for 2 or more hours.
- Signs of infection include headache, dizziness, fever of 100 F or higher that lasts longer than 4 hours.
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Rapid heart rate
- Sudden abdominal pain
- Pain, swelling or redness in the genital area.
Risks:
- Injury to the uterus
- Infection
- Moderate to severe bleeding.
- Blood clots can occur if the uterus doesn’t contract to pass all the tissue (medication can be used to stop the bleeding) and the cervical opening can become blocked and prevents blood from leaving the uterus creating an enlarged uterus with tenderness, cramping, and nausea.
- A repeat vacuum aspiration can be used if there is any fetal/tissue remains and to expel blood clots.
Late-Term Abortion:
Late-term abortion timeline is connected to “fetal viability” or when a fetus can survive outside the womb with or without medical assistance. Some states will say that is 24 weeks of gestation and others will say it’s different. The definition is different from state to state. If you are unaware of your state’s late-term abortion laws, communicate your concerns to the doctor or research your particular states’ abortion laws.
However, in cases where gestation is 21 weeks, Dilation and Extraction (D&X), Intrauterine Cranial Decompression, and Partial Birth Abortion are used.
The Procedure:
- Two days before the procedure the use of laminaria (a product made of seaweed) is inserted vaginally to dilate the cervix.
- On the third day, the amniotic sac should break.
- After returning to the clinic, forceps are used to grasp the fetus and pull it out by the legs through the birth canal.
- Before the head comes completely through the birth canal, a tiny incision is placed at the base of the skull and a suction catheter inside.
- The catheter suctions the developing brain material until the skull collapses.
- After that, the fetus is then completely removed.
Contact the doctor or visit the emergency room if you have any of these symptoms:
- Bleeding heavily for 12 or more hours in a row.
- Soaking more than 2 pads in an hour, for 2 or more hours in a row.
- Blood clots the size of a ping-pong ball being passed for 2 or more hours.
- Signs of infection include headache, dizziness, fever of 100 F or higher that lasts longer than 4 hours.
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Rapid heart rate
- Sudden abdominal pain
- Pain, swelling or redness in the genital area.
Risks:
- Injury to the uterus
- Infection
- Moderate to severe bleeding.
- Blood clots can occur if the uterus doesn’t contract to pass all the tissue (medication can be used to stop the bleeding) and the cervical opening can become blocked and prevents blood from leaving the uterus creating an enlarged uterus with tenderness, cramping, and nausea.
- A repeat vacuum aspiration can be used if there are any fetal/tissue remains and to expel blood clots.
Emotional Cost:
The termination of a pregnancy will cause a hormonal shift. There are many feelings that come with having an abortion that can be complex. It is important to have a post abortive plan in place. Have someone you can talk with.
Some of the possible emotional feelings one may experience after an abortion:
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Anxiety or increased anxiety
- Desire to isolate and/or withdraw from things you use to enjoy
- Unexplained anger
- Problems dealing with relationships
- Suicidal thoughts and feelings
- Body image concerns and/or eating disorders
**If you are having suicidal thoughts or long-term depression, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room and seek a trained medical professional immediately.
Why do some women have negative emotional or psychological effects after an abortion?
Many times, the emotional side effects are highly connected to how we view the growing fetus. Some don’t view the fetus as a baby when others do. Some feel immediate relief and others struggle with the after-effects for years. Here are some reasons why some women have a more difficult time after an abortion.
- Someone who may already have mental health issues.
- If the abortion felt pressured or demanded.
- Someone with a religious background that doesn’t support abortion.
- Someone who has a moral conflict with abortion.
- Someone who had a second or third term abortion.
- Someone who doesn’t have a support system.
- Someone who felt abortion was necessary based upon genetic testing or fetal abnormalities.