What Are the Different Types of Abortions?

There are two types of abortion procedures:

• Medical

• Surgical

Knowledge is power, and our goal is to empower women with knowledge to make informed decisions that are right for them. If considering an abortion, it’s important for your health and safety to always speak to a trusted medical professional or pregnancy center to understand the impact abortion may have on you.

Schedule an Appointment

What’s a Medical Abortion?

Medical abortion ends a pregnancy through a medication regimen using mifepristone and misoprostol. These two drugs combined are also known as the abortion pill.

First, mifepristone blocks progesterone, an essential hormone in pregnancy. When this occurs, the uterine walls thin, causing the attached embryo to become detached.

Then, misoprostol causes contractions to remove the detached embryo and pregnancy tissue from the body through the vagina.  

Risks that should be discussed include:

• Incomplete abortion, where some of the growing fetal tissue remains in the uterus

• An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn't work

• Heavy and prolonged bleeding

• Infection, to include fever

• Digestive system discomfort

According to the Mayo Clinic, individuals with certain health conditions, pregnancy complications, or pregnancies past a specific gestational age will not qualify for this type of abortion. Understanding your health and options is important prior to having a medical abortion.

What’s a Surgical Abortion?

Surgical abortions take place when a woman undergoes an operation to terminate a pregnancy. There are two types of surgical abortions:

• Dilation and Curettage (D&C): small instruments or medication are used to dilate the cervix. Next, a surgical instrument called a curette, which can be a sharp instrument or suction device, is used to remove the pregnancy tissue and endometrium, terminating the pregnancy.

• Dilation and Evacuation (D&E): usually includes a combination of vacuum aspiration, dilation and curettage, and the use of surgical instruments (such as forceps) to remove the fetal and endometrial tissue, ending the pregnancy.

The risks of these procedures are:

• Uterine perforation

• Cervical injury

• Infection/fever

• Excessive bleeding

These serious, invasive surgeries should always be thoroughly discussed and contemplated. Reach out to your local pregnancy center or provider to gain the knowledge you need to make an informed decision before undergoing a surgical abortion.

Who Can I Talk To?

It can feel overwhelming to understand what options are available to you and what your next steps will be. We are here to assist by providing you with the resources, information, and answers you need to plan your next step with clarity.

All appointments and services are free, and scheduling is flexible. Contact us today and allow us to give you the support and space you deserve to make an informed decision that’s right for you and your journey.