When faced with an unexpected pregnancy, you may be considering abortion as one of your options. It’s essential to understand how abortion works and what it does to your body before moving forward. Abortion is a serious medical procedure, and learning the facts can help you make an informed choice for your health and future.
If you haven’t confirmed your pregnancy yet, we invite you to schedule an appointment for free and confidential services at Pregnancy Help Center of Galveston.
Keep reading to learn more about the abortion procedures, but please note that abortion is currently restricted in Texas after a fetal heartbeat is detected (around six weeks).
Medical Abortion (The Abortion Pill)
A medical abortion, also called the abortion pill, is FDA-approved through the first 10 weeks of pregnancy.
It uses two drugs. The first, mifepristone, blocks progesterone, a hormone that sustains pregnancy. The second, misoprostol, is taken about 24–48 hours later to trigger uterine contractions and vaginal bleeding, which expel the pregnancy, placenta, and related tissue from the uterus.
Every woman who undergoes a medical abortion will experience abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding, but side effects such as nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, diarrhea, chills, fever, or headache may also occur. Risks can include incomplete abortion, heavy bleeding, infection, fever, and digestive system discomfort.
Surgical Abortion
A surgical abortion is usually performed later in pregnancy. This procedure involves dilating the cervix with drugs or medical instruments and using suction and/or surgical tools like forceps to remove the pregnancy from the uterus. It typically takes place in a clinical setting under local anesthesia or sedation.
Side effects may include light bleeding or cramping for a few days afterward. Risks can include infection, uterine perforation, damage to the cervix, or scar tissue formation in the uterus that could affect future fertility (known as Asherman’s syndrome).
Protecting Your Health
Both abortion methods end a pregnancy by either expelling or surgically removing the pregnancy from the uterus. They are serious procedures, and making sure to receive an ultrasound first can protect you from certain life-threatening complications.
An ultrasound confirms how far along you are (gestational age), rules out complications like miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy (which require different treatment types), and ensures you receive accurate information before making a decision.
At Pregnancy Help Center of Galveston, we provide free pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and a safe space to process your options. Schedule an appointment today to protect your health and learn more about your choices.
FAQs
How long does the abortion pill take to work?
The process can take several hours to days, depending on the type of abortion. There is also a recovery time afterwards.
Do I need an ultrasound before an abortion?
Yes, an ultrasound is critical to determine how far along you are and to rule out conditions like ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage.
Can abortion affect my future fertility?
Women often recover without long-term effects, but complications such as infection or uterine scarring could impact fertility in some cases.