Abortion

An unexpected pregnancy is shocking. You can hardly believe your eyes when you see the pregnancy test result. If you’re considering abortion, get the facts first. An abortion is a serious medical procedure that can have lifelong consequences.

At Hope First, we want to thoroughly prepare you for your next step. That’s why we share factual, medically based information about all abortion procedures, the side effects to expect, and the physical and emotional risks.

You matter to us. Take the time to learn all you can to make a confident decision.

North Carolina law bans abortion after 12 weeks, unless it is necessary to save the life of the mother, or in cases of rape or incest. The law also requires a 72-hour waiting period following an in-person consultation. Only qualified physicians can perform abortions.

There are two types of abortion: medical and surgical. How far along you are in your pregnancy usually determines which type you qualify for. Let’s take a closer look.

Medical Abortion (AKA the Abortion Pill Method)

The abortion pill method is known as a medical, chemical, or medication abortion because you take two drugs to end a pregnancy.

The FDA approves the use of the abortion pill drugs through 10 weeks of pregnancy only. The first drug, mifepristone, blocks progesterone from reaching the pregnancy. All pregnancies need progesterone to develop. Without this hormone, the pregnancy ends.

Misoprostol is the second drug. This drug causes bleeding and contractions to expel the pregnancy and tissue from a woman’s body.

Some of the possible side effects include the following:

• Upset stomach
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Chills
• Diarrhea
• Headache

The risks can include:

• The body does not release all the pregnancy tissue in the uterus, which is also called an incomplete abortion (this may require surgical treatment)
• An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
• Heavy and prolonged bleeding
• Infection
• Fever
• Digestive symptoms such as an upset stomach

Surgical Abortion

Abortion providers perform suction or vacuum aspiration on early pregnancies (within the first 12 weeks). Later pregnancies include adding medical instruments such as a curette (a scraping tool) or forceps (to remove larger parts).

A surgical abortion may involve dilating (opening) the cervix (which leads to the uterus) and local or general anesthesia for pain management. These can add to the overall cost of a surgical procedure.

The side effects may include:

• Bleeding
• Cramping

Potential risks may include the following:

• Uterine perforation (a small tear in your uterus) may happen if one of the surgical instruments passes through your uterine wall
• Infection
• Bleeding (heavy bleeding and blood clots are signs of complications)
• Fever
• Severe abdominal cramps

Whether you have a medical or surgical procedure, studies have found that mental health issues can develop for at least some women. Some women say they feel relief immediately following their abortions, but other women, within weeks, months, or years, begin to experience a sense of loss, anxiety, grief, or depression.

Talking with a healthcare provider beforehand is critical to determining how you will respond emotionally. No one has the legal right to force you to choose this option.

Before any abortion, you must verify your pregnancy. Confirmation includes a medical-grade pregnancy test and an ultrasound. An ultrasound reveals how far along you are, which ultimately determines the type of abortion you would qualify for.

Ultrasound also detects if your pregnancy is developing and how far along you are. Plus, an ultrasound can detect an ectopic pregnancy, which can be extremely dangerous.

If you have questions or want to know more, please schedule a free and confidential appointment with us.

We also provide free and confidential pregnancy testing and ultrasound exams for qualified clients. Call (910) 938-7000 to see if you qualify for an ultrasound.

We do not perform or refer for abortion, but we do provide information and services so you are equipped to make an informed choice about your pregnancy.