When facing an unexpected pregnancy, weighing every option carefully is crucial. If you’re considering abortion, it’s important to learn the risks as you look to make an informed decision.  

Friends for Life Pregnancy Center will walk alongside you and provide accurate information, offering no-cost and confidential services to help you make confident choices. Keep reading to learn more about abortion and its associated risks.

Know Your Options

The type of abortion procedure varies based on how far along the pregnancy is. Generally, there are two main types: medical and surgical abortion. 

Medical abortion, also called the abortion pill, typically uses two drugs to end a pregnancy. Mifepristone is the first drug. It blocks progesterone, a hormone that helps the pregnancy grow and develop. The second drug, misoprostol, causes uterine contractions that expel the pregnancy from the body.

Surgical abortion dilates the cervix and uses suction or surgical instruments to end and remove the pregnancy.

Each abortion method comes with its own set of side effects. For example, medical abortion drugs cause cramping and bleeding, but women can also experience other side effects, including nausea and headaches. 

Understand the Risks

Learning the risks of abortion procedures will help you consider this option from all angles.

Medical abortion drugs are associated with the following risks:

• Digestive symptoms (i.e., upset stomach)
• Fever
• Heavy, prolonged bleeding
• Infection
• Incomplete abortion, which may need surgical treatment

Surgical abortion also carries risks, including:

• Perforation of the uterus (a surgical tool pokes a hole in the uterus)
• Damage to the cervix
• Scar tissue on the uterine wall
• Infection

Knowing these risks can help you consider your health and well-being.

No-Cost, Confidential Services

Before deciding, it’s essential to have all the facts. Friends for Life Pregnancy Center offers no-cost options information and limited ultrasounds to confirm key pregnancy details. 

Making a pregnancy decision can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate this time alone. We’ll answer your questions and help you feel empowered to make confident choices. 

Schedule your confidential appointment today. 

Friends for Life Pregnancy Center does not provide or refer for abortions.

All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.