Common Abortion Methods
We provide information on abortion, your options, and free limited pregnancy services.
the abortion pill
A medication abortion is FDA-approved up through 10 weeks after a woman's last menstrual period. The abortion pill is not an option for people with certain medical conditions, if the pregnancy is not viable, or if the pregnancy occurs outside of the uterus.
The abortion pill is a medical abortion. To qualify for this procedure, you must be 10 weeks and 0 days or less into your pregnancy. Although it’s called the abortion pill, it isn’t one pill and you’re done. It uses two very powerful drugs.
The first drug blocks a hormone known as progesterone. When you are pregnant, progesterone acts to support the lining of the uterus, which provides the environment for the embryo and the placenta to grow. The first drug, mifepristone, causes the placenta to detach from the uterus preventing oxygen and nutrients from getting to the embryo. The second medication, misoprostol, causes uterine contractions to expel the pregnancy from the uterus.
Since conception calculators can only estimate how far along you are, an ultrasound is important to date your pregnancy when making abortion decisions. An ultrasound can also rule out life threatening ectopic pregnancies. Side effects from the abortion pill include cramping and contractions, heavy bleeding, fever, headaches, nausea and abdominal pain, blood clots, allergic reactions, infection, vomiting, diarrhea, hospitalization, and, in rare cases, death. Make an appointment for a free consultation to learn more about risks, side effects, and what you need to know before you decide.
The abortion pill goes by many names including missed period pills, at-home abortion, self-managed abortion, 10-week-after pills, plan-C, medication, medical, or chemical abortion. It is not the same as emergency contraceptives. The FDA issued a warning about abortion by mail and new safety regulations. Your health and safety come first here - we do not provide or refer for abortion pills.
If you take the first pill and change your mind, it may be possible to reverse the effects of the abortion pill and continue your pregnancy. Contact us to learn more about abortion pill reversal options or click here.
Aspiration Abortion
Aspiration abortion procedures can be performed up to 13 weeks after a woman's last menstrual period (LMP). Aspiration abortion is sometimes performed in the event of a medication abortion failure. Vacuum aspiration method is the most common early surgical abortion method performed as an outpatient procedure. This procedure includes a medical provider using a vacuum device to remove the pregnancy out of the uterus.
Dilation and Evacuation (D&E)
A D&E abortion is typically performed 13 weeks or more after a woman's last known period (LMP). It is the most common second-trimester surgical abortion method. Local anesthesia or sedation is commonly utilized. This procedure first expands (dilates) the lower narrow part of the uterus (cervix), then uses tools to remove the fetus in pieces, and finally scraping out the placenta and lining of the uterus.
If you think you may be in your second trimester and are looking for options, contact us for a no-cost consultation. While we do not refer for or provide abortion services, we can give you the answers you need to make an informed choice. Contact us today to get started.