The Best Decision Is An Informed Decision
Abortion is a medical procedure, and as with all medical procedures, there are potential risks and side effects. In addition, there are questions you should know the answers to before taking the abortion pill or having a surgical abortion.
The cost of an abortion can be $400 to $2,000 or more, depending on how far along you are, what type of procedure you have, and the abortion clinic location. However, the price can be even greater if you experience physical complications and/or emotional trauma afterward.
Potential Risks, Side Effects, And Complications Of Surgical Abortion And The Abortion Pill
Everyone’s body is different. Therefore, you should be informed about the various potential risks, side effects, and complications from abortion to be prepared before the procedure.
An ultrasound is necessary to confirm whether you are pregnant and how far along you are. An ultrasound can also show if the fetus is in the uterus and has a heartbeat, known as “a viable pregnancy.” If you don’t have a viable pregnancy, you may not need to have an abortion.
According to the Mayo Clinic, there are some potential risks, side effects, and complications a woman can experience after having an abortion. Some side effects can be experienced for two weeks or more. If they last longer, the Mayo Clinic advises women to consult their physician immediately.
Possible risks, side effects, and complications from a surgical abortion include
- Excessive bleeding for two to three weeks
- Cramping
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Nausea and/or Vomiting
- Infection
- Perforated uterus
- Damaged cervix
- Depression and/or mood swings
- Incomplete abortion, which may require another surgery
Possible risks, side effects, and complications from the abortion pill (which is actually two drugs taken separately) include:
The abortion pill method is actually two drugs taken separately
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- An ongoing unwanted pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Digestive system discomfort
- Cramping
- Excessive bleeding for two to three weeks
- Infection
- Fever
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Nausea and/or Vomiting
Is The Abortion Pill Right For Me?
The Mayo Clinic advises women to understand their health and how an abortion might affect them. Do not take the abortion pill if you:
- are too far along in your pregnancy (more than 9 weeks 6 days);
- have an IUD (intrauterine device);
- suspect your pregnancy is outside the uterus (this is called an ectopic pregnancy and can be life-threatening – an ultrasound can confirm if your pregnancy is in the uterus where it should be);
- take a blood thinner;
- have certain health conditions such as a bleeding disorder, heart or blood vessel disease, severe liver, kidney, lung disease, or an uncontrolled seizure disorder.
Additionally, you shouldn’t take the abortion pill if you can’t make follow-up visits to your doctor, or you don’t have access to emergency care due to the various possible complications, risks, and side effects.
Self Care
After having an abortion or taking the abortion pill, you will need care. You should have someone with you before, during, and afterward; some of the after-affects, like excessive bleeding, can be scary. Therefore, having someone you trust with you can provide comfort.
Here are things medical professionals recommend for self-care:
- drink plenty of water and healthy fluids,
- eat (if you can) healthy food,
- get plenty of rest.
If you choose to have an abortion, make sure the medical staff at the facility provide you with information on self-care.
Knowledge is power. Schedule an appointment at True Care to determine how far along you are, know if your pregnancy is viable, and be tested for certain STDs that could affect your ability to have children. All True Care services are provided at no cost.
Schedule your no-cost pre-abortion consultation appointment at True Care.
Know Your Rights
Like with any medical procedure, a woman seeking an abortion has rights. Click on the drop-down button to learn about your rights when it comes to abortion:
- You have a right to not be pressured or coerced to have an abortion. Your pregnancy decision is yours alone. Whether you’re a minor living with your parents or a guardian or an adult woman living with your boyfriend, you should not let anyone pressure you (or threaten you) into having an abortion if that is not the choice you really want to make.Forced abortion is illegal. If you feel coerced to have an abortion, contact The Justice Foundation for assistance: Website: https://thejusticefoundation.org/cafa/ Email: info@txjf.org Phone: 210-614-7157
- You have a right to a full and accurate description of the abortion procedure you will undergo and to be treated with dignity in a safe and sanitary environment.
- You have a right to know how far along you are before undergoing an abortion.
- You have the right to know the cost of the procedure before undergoing a surgical abortion or taking the abortion pill.
- You have the right to ask questions about the doctor performing the abortion, such as his/her current license and hospital privileges.
- You have the right to know all the potential risks, side effects, and complications of the abortion procedure.
- You have the right to ask what hospital you would be sent to if a complication arises.
- You have the right to know what to expect after an abortion, including the type of self-care you may need, what prescriptions such as antibiotics the clinic staff will give (if any), and what to do if you experience complications or have any concerns after the procedure.
- You have the right to change your mind, even at the last minute.
- You have the right to try to stop the effects of the abortion pill through Abortion Pill Reversal (APR). If you take the first pill and change your mind, there is a 60% to 65% chance of reversing the procedure, but APR needs to be started within 72 hours of taking that first pill. Visit https://abortionpillreversal.com/ or call the 24 hour hotline at 877-558-0333.
Schedule your no-cost pre-abortion consultation appointment at True Care.
LEARN ABOUT FETAL DEVELOPMENT
You should know all the facts before making a decision. A survey of women who chose abortion showed that more than 90% said they wished they had been given more information on fetal development.
For example, do you know an embryo’s heart begins to beat at less than 6 weeks gestation? Ultrasound picks up an unborn’s heart rate at about 5 weeks, 4 days.
Here is some more information on fetal development:
- Before 8 weeks, the nerves, brain, and spinal cord begin to develop, hands and feet are forming
- Between 9 and 12 weeks, features such as ears, teeth, fingers, and toes form, and all organs function by 12 weeks.
- By 16 weeks, a fetus begins moving, and facial expressions are possible.
- Between 17 and 24 weeks, an unborn can hear and recognize its mother’s voice, and facial features like eyebrows and lips become distinct.
- As young as 22 weeks, babies have been known to survive outside the womb.
Visit the Cleveland Clinic website for more information on fetal development and growth.
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