Abortion

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Considering Abortion?

If you are thinking about abortion, it is important to have accurate information before making a decision. The type of procedure available depends on how far along you are, your health history, and other factors. Confirming the details of your pregnancy first can protect your health and help you understand what to expect physically.

Options Clinic offers no-cost, confidential appointments where you can receive factual information about abortion procedures, side effects, and possible risks. Our staff is available to answer your questions in a private setting.

Medical Abortion

Medical abortion, often called the abortion pill, typically uses two drugs taken at different times.

The first drug, mifepristone, blocks progesterone, a hormone necessary to sustain pregnancy. Without progesterone, the lining of the uterus begins to break down, and the pregnancy ends. The second drug, misoprostol, is taken later and causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy and related tissue at home.

This process involves abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding, which some women have reported to be unexpectedly severe.

Common side effects may include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Fever or chills
• Headache

Possible risks include:

• Excessive bleeding
• Infection
• Fever
• Incomplete abortion requiring follow-up care
• Digestive system discomfort
• Ongoing pregnancy

Additionally, it’s essential to know that there’s a specific timeframe for taking these drugs. Medical abortion is FDA-approved only through 10 weeks of gestation.

Surgical Abortion

Surgical abortion is performed in a clinic or hospital setting. The procedure typically involves dilating the cervix and using suction and medical instruments to remove the pregnancy from the uterus. The specific method used depends on how far along the pregnancy is.

Common side effects may include:

• Abdominal cramping
• Mild vaginal bleeding or spotting

Possible risks include:

• Infection
• Damage to the cervix
• Uterine perforation
• Scar tissue formation that may affect future fertility (Asherman’s syndrome)
• Incomplete abortion

An Ultrasound Comes First

Before scheduling an abortion, you need an ultrasound. An ultrasound confirms how far along you are, whether the pregnancy is located in the uterus, and whether it is progressing. These factors affect both safety and available options.

You are eligible for an ultrasound at Options Clinic following a positive pregnancy test with us. Get the answers you need before making a decision.

To schedule your no-cost, confidential appointment, call or text Mineral Wells at 817-934-6442 or Weatherford at 817-599-6700, or contact us online.