ULTRASOUND
First things first, you need an ultrasound. Guess what? We do them for FREE. You need to know how far along you are, ensure the baby is in your uterus, make sure there is a heartbeat, and ensure you haven’t miscarried.
MEDICAL ABORTION
A medical abortion, also called “the abortion pill,” is usually a series of two pills taken orally or vaginally within 48 hours to end a pregnancy. Mifepristone is the first pill that is given, which works by blocking progesterone, making the uterine lining thin, causing the embryo to become unattached, and terminating the pregnancy. The second pill, misoprostol, causes bleeding and contractions, inducing labor and causing the pregnancy to be expelled through the vagina.
SURGICAL ABORTION
Surgical abortion is an abortion where a doctor will surgically remove the baby from the uterus. Depending on how far along you are, the procedure can involve vacuum aspiration (suction), D&C (dilation and curettage), or D&E (dilation and evacuation). During vacuum aspiration, a cannula is inserted through the cervix into the womb, and the baby is aspirated through the cannula with suction, pulling the baby into pieces. Forceps are used if the vacuum aspiration is unsuccessful. During a D&C, first, the cervix is dilated (D) so that a curette (C) (a metal rod with a handle on one end) and a sharp loop on the other can be inserted into the uterus. The curette is used to detach the baby from the uterine wall, and suction is used to remove the baby from the uterus. A D&E is most commonly used when the baby is larger. During a D&E, the cervix is dilated (D), and the baby is evacuated (E) using forceps to pull the baby apart and remove the baby from the uterus.
Are you considering abortion? Know your risks and the truth about abortion. Contact us for a free pregnancy test and ultrasound and to discuss your options! Get the information you need.
-Written by Kaitlyn, Staff Nurse