What Are the Different Types of Abortion?

December 29, 2021

Positive pregnancy tests can cause our minds to spin as our future flashes before our eyes. If you’re in this position, we can help you move forward.

At Women’s Care Center, we provide free and confidential services, resources, and information on all your options. One of your options is abortion, and there are different types. Keep reading to find out more about each one.

What is abortion?

Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy, typically by taking certain drugs or having a surgical procedure done in an abortion clinic.

There are two types of abortion: medical (or medication) abortion and surgical abortion.

What is medical abortion?

Also known as “the abortion pill” and “at-home abortion,” medical abortion terminates a pregnancy through the use of two drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol. 

The first drug, mifepristone, blocks the womb from absorbing progesterone, a necessary hormone to keep the pregnancy progressing and growing. This will cause fetal demise and the termination of the pregnancy.

The second drug, misoprostol, will cause the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy out the vagina through cramping and bleeding.

This form of abortion is only approved by the FDA for use within 70 days of pregnancy.

What are the risks of medical abortion?

Medical abortion is a serious medical procedure, and does come with risks. According to Mayo Clinic, these include:

• An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure fails
• Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
• Heavy and prolonged bleeding
• Infection
• Fever
• Digestive system discomfort

What is surgical abortion?

Surgical abortion is the termination of a pregnancy through an invasive medical procedure typically performed in an abortion clinic. There are two types: Dilation & Evacuation (D&E) and Dilation & Curettage (D&C). 

Both procedures dilate your cervix, then use a mixture of vacuum aspiration (suction) and tools to surgically remove the pregnancy from the uterus. 

A D&C abortion is typically performed earlier in a pregnancy than a D&E abortion and it takes less time. A D&E abortion takes more time and requires more tools, such as forceps, to remove larger pieces of pregnancy tissue.

What are the risks of surgical abortion?

Both types of surgical abortion have similar risks, as they use similar methods to terminate and remove a pregnancy. The risks of a D&C abortion found on Mayo Clinic include:

• Perforation of the uterus, or when a surgical instrument pokes a hole in the uterus
• Damage to the cervix
• Scar tissue on the uterine wall
• Infection

You have options

Pregnancy decisions are life-altering, so we want you to know the risks, pros, and cons, of every option before selecting the best one for you. 

Schedule an appointment at Women’s Care Center, and we’ll provide free pregnancy testing, an ultrasound, and time to talk in a safe and confidential setting. We’re here for you.