Abortion Procedures
Read about the different abortion methods.
The Abortion Pill
You may have heard of the abortion pill referred to by different names. Even though the terms may be different, the medication is the same. The abortion pill, also known as medical abortion, is not the same as emergency contraception (the morning-after pill).
Medical abortion is a procedure that uses two different drugs to end a known pregnancy.
Before a medication abortion, you should meet with your doctor to discuss the abortion process. Your physician should provide a physical examination to determine whether you’re a candidate for the abortion pill.
You definitely need an ultrasound to ensure you are pregnant and determine how far along you are in your pregnancy. There is a possibility you could have already miscarried, and there would be no need for the abortion pill.
Mifepristone
Mifepristone is the first drug taken. It blocks the hormone progesterone from reaching the uterus. A pregnancy cannot survive without progesterone. The lack of progesterone terminates the pregnancy.
Abortion Pill Reversal
Some women change their minds about their abortion after taking the first abortion drug. There is a possibility of continuing your pregnancy with Abortion Pill Reversal.
If you are in this position, contact us immediately to connect with a network of caring medical professionals who can help reverse the effects of mifepristone.
Misoprostol
You take the second drug, misoprostol, 24 to 48 hours after the first drug. This drug causes you to expel the pregnancy from your body.
Side Effects and Risks
If you would like to know more about the side effects and risks of the abortion pill, read about them on our Abortion Option page.
Be sure to visit your doctor a week or two after taking the abortion pill to ensure all the contents of your uterus are expelled. If not, this is a potentially serious condition, and you may need to follow up with a surgical abortion.
Surgical Abortion
First-Trimester Aspiration Abortion (up to twelve or thirteen weeks of pregnancy)
Depending on how far along you are in the first trimester, this procedure may be done without dilating your cervix or anesthesia. With an aspiration abortion, the abortion provider inserts a suction tube to vacuum out the contents of the uterus.
Dilation and Evacuation (D&E) Abortion (roughly thirteen weeks of pregnancy and later)
Pre-Procedure
The abortion provider must open the cervix first. To do so, the abortion provider uses dilators which can take hours or days depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy.
Different methods exist to dilate the cervix.
The D & E Procedure
If it is early in the second trimester, the abortion provider uses an ultrasound to locate the pregnancy and tissue. The provider can use aspiration abortion along with a scraping tool.
After about sixteen weeks, forceps are used to pull the pregnancy apart in order to remove it from the body.
If you would like to know more about the side effects and risks of surgical abortion, read about them on our Abortion Option page.
Pregnancy Testing
Make sure you are getting the most accurate pregnancy test results possible. We offer a free and confidential pregnancy test that is 99% accurate. If your test is positive, ask about your next steps.
Ultrasounds
After a positive pregnancy test, our client advocates will determine if you qualify for a free and confidential first-trimester ultrasound. An ultrasound indicates if your pregnancy is viable.
Resource and Peer Support
We provide you with community referrals that can help with your immediate concerns. Because we exist to support you physically, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually, we also provide peer advocates to listen to you and encourage you during this time.
Post Abortion Support
For most women, their immediate feeling post-abortion is relief. But for some women, days, months, or even years later, they begin to feel grief, sadness, and a sense of loss. If this is you, we want you to know there is hope and healing.
Pregnancy Testing
Make sure you are getting the most accurate pregnancy test results possible. We offer a free and confidential pregnancy test that is 99% accurate. If your test is positive, ask about your next steps.
Ultrasounds
After a positive pregnancy test, our client advocates will determine if you qualify for a free and confidential first-trimester ultrasound. An ultrasound indicates if your pregnancy is viable.
Resource and Peer Support
We provide you with community referrals that can help with your immediate concerns. Because we exist to support you physically, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually, we also provide peer advocates to listen to you and encourage you during this time.
Post Abortion Support
For most women, their immediate feeling post-abortion is relief. But for some women, days, months, or even years later, they begin to feel grief, sadness, and a sense of loss. If this is you, we want you to know there is hope and healing.
