Have you taken the abortion pill and changed your mind? Call the Abortion Pill Reversal Hotline: (877) 558-0333
Abortion Information Resources
Abortion Information Resources
Know your patient rights, abortion procedures and risks, and prioritize your safety.
Abortion Procedures & Risks
Deciding to have an abortion is a big decision that could impact you for years to come. Making sure you know about the procedure and the possible risks is an important part of making an informed decision. Before having an abortion procedure, it is very important to have an ultrasound. Here’s why:
How Far Along?
An ultrasound can determine how far along you are. How far along you are will determine which type of abortion procedure you will need. For example, a medical abortion can only be done up to 10 weeks after your last menstrual period. Having a medical abortion after 10 weeks can be dangerous.
Location of Baby
An ultrasound shows whether or not the baby is in the right place. If the baby is not in the uterus, or womb, but is outside the uterus, an ectopic pregnancy has occurred. An ectopic pregnancy can be life-threatening and an abortion procedure will not help this situation.
Heartbeat
An ultrasound shows whether or not the baby has a heartbeat. Approximately 20-25% of pregnancies end in miscarriage, which is the loss of the pregnancy at less than 20 weeks. If the baby does not have a heartbeat, an abortion procedure is not necessary, and may actually cause more harm.
*The Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center offers free limited obstetric ultrasounds to give you all the information you need to make your decision.
Chemical & Surgical Abortion
There are two types of abortion procedures available: medical and surgical.
Chemical Abortion Procedure
- Involves taking two medications: One to end the life of the baby, and the second to remove the baby from the woman’s body.
- Can only be done up to 10 weeks after the woman’s last menstrual period.
- The first medication is usually taken at the abortion clinic; the second medication is usually taken at home the next day.
- The abortion happens at home.
Chemical Abortion Risks
- Bleeding, heavy at times, for 2 weeks or longer
- Infection
- May not work completely, requiring a surgical procedure
- Seeing embryonic parts expelled
Surgical Abortion Procedure
- Involves softening and stretching the cervix before the procedure
- Suction or forceps are used to pull the baby out through the cervix
- Starting at 24 weeks, an injection may be given to stop the baby’s heart prior to removing the baby
- The abortion happens completely at the abortion clinic
- Anesthesia may be given for pain control
Surgical Abortion Risks
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Incomplete abortion
- Damage to uterus or other internal organs
- Complications with anesthesia
- Death
Emotional Risks of Abortion
Choosing an abortion can have long-term emotional and mental effects. Sometimes these effects don’t show up until months or even years later. The best available evidence shows that abortion increases the risk for:
- Clinical depression and anxiety
- Drug and alcohol abuse
- Symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Suicidal thoughts and behavior
- The risk for emotional or mental complications from an abortion may be increased if you have a history of depression or anxiety before having the abortion.
If you have had an abortion, and are suffering from emotional or mental effects, know that you are not alone. We are here to help. We offer resources and Bible studies for women who are seeking healing in this area.
Abortion Pill Reversal
If you choose to take the first medication in a chemical abortion (mifepristone), and then change your mind, there is a chance that the abortion can be reversed. Natural progesterone can be used to successfully continue your pregnancy and give birth to a healthy baby.
Call 877-558-0333 for more information.