Medical Abortion
Also called “the abortion pill,” medical abortion involves two types of drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol. The first drug prescribed in a medical abortion, mifepristone, blocks the womb from absorbing progesterone and prevents the embryo from implanting or growing. The second drug, misoprostol, causes the uterus to contract and expels the pregnancy.
Potential Risks Of Medical Abortion
- Incomplete abortion (may need to be followed by surgical abortion)
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Digestive system discomfort
- Infection
- Fever
2. Surgical Abortion
There are multiple types of surgical abortion procedures done depending on how far along you are. Normally, a surgical abortion involves dilating the cervix and using a small suction tube into the uterus to remove the pregnancy.
Risks Of Surgical Abortion
- Damage to the womb or cervix
- Uterine perforation
- Excessive bleeding
- Infection of the uterus or fallopian tubes
- Scarring of the inside of the uterus
- Reaction to the medicines or anesthesia, such as problems breathing
- Not removing all of the tissue, requiring another procedure