02 Apr What to Know if You’re Considering Abortion
Making a pregnancy decision is a significant moment in your life. Your choice affects your life and future, so you owe it to yourself to research your options thoroughly and make an educated decision.
If you’re considering abortion, we’ll help you understand the side effects and risks so you can be informed. We don’t provide or refer for abortions, but we’re committed to helping you understand this option and make a decision that considers your health and well-being.
What should you know before deciding? Keep reading to learn more.
Abortion Comes With Side Effects and Risks
Before undergoing any abortion procedure, you should always be aware of its side effects and risks. Prioritizing your health means carefully considering the potential impacts and your specific situation.
Abortion is the only option that ends a pregnancy, and side effects and risks depend on the procedure type. For example, medical abortion drugs cause abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding. Surgical abortion, on the other hand, can result in mild cramping and light vaginal bleeding or spotting for several days afterward.
Abortion procedures also come with risks you should be aware of. Medical abortion risks include infection, heavy and prolonged bleeding, and fever. Surgical abortion-associated risks are infection, cervical damage, and scar tissue on the uterine wall, among others.
Understanding the potential health implications can help you make an educated choice.
It Isn’t an Option for Everyone
Discussing your health history with a medical provider is an essential step in the decision-making process because not everyone is eligible for an abortion procedure.
For example, the Mayo Clinic notes that the procedure is not an option if any of the following apply:
- Being too far along in your pregnancy (medical abortion is FDA-approved only through 10 weeks gestation)
- Having an intrauterine device (IUD) currently in place
- Having a suspected ectopic pregnancy
- Having certain medical conditions (like anemia, an uncontrolled seizure disorder, or severe liver, kidney, or lung disease)
- Taking a blood thinner or certain medicines
- Being unable to access emergency care
- Having an allergy to the drugs used
Knowing how an abortion can affect your specific situation helps you make an informed decision.
An Ultrasound Is an Essential Safety Step
Only an ultrasound can tell you whether your pregnancy is progressing, where it is located, and how far along you are. You need this information to determine your options, especially if you are experiencing a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy (the latter requires immediate medical treatment).
Without an ultrasound, you won’t know the status of your pregnancy and which options are available. Lighthouse Pregnancy Resource Center will help you confirm your pregnancy with no-cost pregnancy testing and an ultrasound.
As you consider options for your pregnancy, know we’re here with confidential resources and information.
Get the Facts Today
Looking for no-cost information on your options? We can help. Lighthouse Pregnancy Resource Center doesn’t profit from your decision and won’t pressure you to make a specific choice.
Equip yourself with information on your pregnancy and options to make a confident decision. Schedule an appointment with us to get started.
Lighthouse Pregnancy Resource 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.
Sources:
“Medical abortion,” Mayo Clinic. Accessed March 13, 2025, https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/medical-abortion/about/pac-20394687.
“Dilation and curettage (D&C),” Mayo Clinic. Accessed March 13, 2025,
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/dilation-and-curettage/about/pac-20384910
“Information about mifepristone for medical termination of pregnancy through ten weeks gestation,” U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Accessed March 13, 2025,
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/information-about-mifepristone-medical-termination-pregnancy-through-ten-weeks-gestation
“Miscarriage (archived),” National Library of Medicine. Accessed March 13, 2025,
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532992/
“Ectopic pregnancy,” Mayo Clinic. Accessed March 13, 2025,
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/symptoms-causes/syc-20372088