Facing an unexpected pregnancy can be a time of uncertainty. You weren’t anticipating being pregnant and now have to choose an option that is best for you. 

Before you begin planning your next steps, you should verify your pregnancy test results to make sure that you are pregnant.

At Bella Women’s Center, our experienced medical team can provide free and confidential pregnancy testing. If your test is positive, we can perform a limited ultrasound to confirm your pregnancy. 

Our caring staff will also give you comprehensive information on your options, which include abortion, adoption, and parenting. Contact us today to set up your free appointment.

How Will Different Types of Abortion Affect You Physically?

There are two basic types of abortion: medical and surgical. Each has its own set of physical risks and side effects.

However, it’s important to remember that every woman’s experience will differ. The following information only shares an overview of what you could experience.

Medical Abortions

Also known as “the abortion pill,” a medical abortion is performed by taking two different drugs in succession. The first drug, mifepristone, blocks the hormone progesterone, which is necessary for the pregnancy to grow and continue.

The second drug, misoprostol, causes the uterus to contract, causing vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping. Every woman will experience this because it’s how the drug works to empty the uterus.

However, the amount of bleeding and pain levels during an abortion can vary from woman to woman. Some women report the level of pain as similar to a menstrual period, but some felt their pain level was as severe as labor or worse. 

Due to the medical abortion drugs, you could experience side effects, including nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, upset stomach, and headache.

After the procedure, If you have heavy bleeding, bad pain in the stomach area or pelvis, chills or body aches, fast heart rate, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, or a fever that lasts more than four hours or starts in the days after you take misoprostol, seek medical help immediately. You could be having a complication. 

Surgical Abortions

One type of surgical abortion is a dilation & curettage abortion (D&C). In this procedure, surgical instruments or drugs open the cervix. Then, an abortion provider will remove the pregnancy and related tissue with a combination of suction and surgical tools.

After this type of abortion, you may experience mild cramping and light vaginal bleeding or spotting for a few days.

Seek immediate medical care if you have cramps lasting more than 48 hours, fever, lasting dizziness or lightheadedness, heavy bleeding (changing a pad every hour), foul-smelling vaginal discharge, or pain that gets worse instead of better.

Complications from surgical abortions are somewhat rare, but they do happen. There are cases where a surgical tool pokes a hole in the uterus, the cervix tears, scar tissue develops on the uterine wall, or an infection occurs.

Are You Facing an Unexpected Pregnancy?

At Bella Center, we want to answer your pregnancy questions and concerns. Our medical team can provide pregnancy testing and an ultrasound at no cost to you. 

Starting with free pregnancy testing is the best way to begin your pregnancy confirmation process. Contact us today!

Bella Women’s Center does not provide or refer for abortion. 

All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.