If you’re considering abortion, you may have heard the terms medical abortion and surgical abortion, but you may not know how they differ.
Understanding the difference is important because these two procedures work in very different ways, involve different timelines, and carry different physical risks. Before making any pregnancy decision, you deserve accurate information about what each option involves so you can make an informed choice.
Here’s what you should know about these abortion methods. You can also schedule a no-cost appointment with Pee Dee PRC to explore your questions and get your questions answered.
A Medical Abortion Uses Two Abortion Drugs
A medical abortion uses two different drugs to end a pregnancy.
The first drug, mifepristone, blocks the hormone progesterone, which is needed to support the pregnancy. Without progesterone, your uterine lining will thin, and your pregnancy will detach and eventually end.
The second drug, misoprostol, is typically taken 24 to 48 hours later and causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy through the vagina.
The process usually takes place at home and will cause abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding. You might also experience:
- Upset stomach
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Chill
- Diarrhea
- Headache
Every woman’s experience is different, but some women have reported that the pain is “out of this world” and much worse than they experienced.
It’s also important to know that medical abortion is FDA-approved only through 10 weeks of gestation.
A Surgical Abortion Is Performed in a Medical Facility
Unlike a medical abortion, a surgical abortion is performed by a healthcare provider in a clinic or hospital.
The specific procedure depends on how far along the pregnancy is. During a surgical abortion, the cervix is dilated so that surgical instruments can enter the uterus to remove the pregnancy. Depending on the stage of pregnancy and the type of procedure, local anesthesia, sedation, or anesthesia may be used to help manage pain.
Surgical abortion carries potential risks, which include:
- Heavy bleeding
- Infection
- Injury to the cervix or uterus
- Incomplete abortion (meaning parts of the pregnancy remain in the uterus, potentially requiring surgical treatment)
An Ultrasound Is an Important Step Before Either Type of Abortion
Before considering either a medical or surgical abortion, it’s important to have an ultrasound.
A home pregnancy test can indicate a potential pregnancy, but it can’t provide the medical information you need.
An ultrasound can determine:
- Whether the pregnancy is located inside the uterus
- Whether the pregnancy appears to be developing
- Approximately how far along you are
This information helps protect your health.
For example, an ultrasound can identify an ectopic pregnancy, which occurs when a pregnancy develops outside the uterus. An ectopic pregnancy requires emergency medical treatment and cannot be treated with abortion drugs.
Though we do not offer ultrasounds, we can provide a referral so you can gather more details about your pregnancy and health.
Before making any pregnancy decision, it’s also worth taking time to learn about all of your options, including parenting and adoption. Understanding every option allows you to make a decision that’s based on accurate information rather than pressure, assumptions, or fear.
Get the Information You Need
If you’re facing an unexpected pregnancy, you deserve a place where you can ask questions and receive accurate information.
At Pee Dee PRC, our compassionate team is here to answer your questions about abortion, adoption, and parenting, and provide the information you need to make an informed decision.
You don’t have to navigate this alone. Contact us today to schedule your no-cost, confidential appointment. We’re here for you.
Pee Dee PRC does not provide or refer for abortions.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.