Why Talk to Us About Abortion?

Abortion has been a hot topic in the news lately. You would think there’s been enough conversation about the subject, but there’s a lot more to know than just deciding if you’re “pro-choice” or “pro-life.” If you’re considering abortion for your unexpected pregnancy, you should know about procedures, their side effects, and potential physical and emotional risks.

Abortion is a serious medical decision. We want to prepare you fully, so here are some highlights we think you should understand.

Will I Have A Medical Abortion?

As of this writing, abortion is legal for up to 15 weeks in Florida, but abortion providers are currently challenging that ruling in the courts. The FDA approves medical abortion through ten weeks gestation only (70 days or less since the first day of a patient’s last menstrual period).

The abortion pill method is a medical abortion because it uses two drugs to terminate a pregnancy over a 24 to 48-hour period.

The two drugs are mifepristone and misoprostol. Mifepristone blocks the hormone progesterone from reaching the uterus. Without progesterone, the pregnancy cannot survive. Misoprostol causes contractions that push the pregnancy out of the body.

You can expect the following side effects when using the abortion pill method:

• Cramping

• Bleeding

• Nausea and possibly vomiting

• Fever and possibly chills

• Diarrhea

• Headache

The risks of the abortion pill method include incomplete abortion (not all of the pregnancy is removed), heavy and prolonged bleeding, and infection.

Will I Have a Surgical Abortion?

Between weeks 10 and 15, you may have to have a surgical abortion. The abortion provider performs these procedures in a clinic or hospital.

The procedure uses vacuum or suction aspiration. The abortion provider uses a tube to vacuum out the pregnancy. Sometimes, using a sharp, spoon-shaped curette is necessary to scrape out the contents.

As with all abortion procedures, you can expect cramping and bleeding. The risks are greater with a surgical abortion. They might include the following:

• Needing another procedure to remove parts of the pregnancy that have stayed in the uterus

• Potential uterine perforation

• Heavy bleeding

• Infection

Can Abortion Cause Mental Health Problems?

Depending on your circumstances, abortion can negatively affect your mental health. One research study found that, consistently, women who have had an abortion have elevated rates of mental illness compared to women without a history of abortion.

Women with pre-existing mental health issues were more susceptible to significant problems after the abortion. Emotional and psychological struggles include anxiety, depression, grief, and feeling a sense of loss. Some women’s symptoms did not surface for weeks, months, or years afterward.

How Can A New Generation Help Me?

If you are suddenly facing an unplanned pregnancy and considering abortion, visit A New Generation. Although we do not provide or refer for abortion, we provide pre-abortion screenings. A screening includes a free and confidential pregnancy test and ultrasound.

An ultrasound helps you determine your next steps. It reveals the number of weeks you have been pregnant, the pregnancy’s location, and if the pregnancy is viable. A viable pregnancy means it is growing with a detectable heartbeat. Studies estimate that 26% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage. If you’ve had a miscarriage, you do not need an abortion.