Types of Abortions
There are different types of abortions, and which information applies to you can depend on your pregnancy and individual situation.
Before making a decision, schedule a confidential appointment to learn more about your pregnancy and next steps.
Medical Abortion
Medication abortion, also known as the abortion pill, commonly uses mifepristone followed by misoprostol. The FDA specifically approves the combination for termination of an intrauterine pregnancy through 70 days’ gestation.1
Mifepristone blocks the action of progesterone in the womb, a hormone needed to maintain pregnancy.2
Misoprostol causes the uterus to contract, helping expel the pregnancy tissue through the vagina.3 The FDA-approved mifepristone and misoprostol regimen is indicated for ending an intrauterine pregnancy through 70 days (10 weeks) of gestation.4 Abortion methods vary depending on gestational age and individual circumstances.
NOTE: The Morning After Pill is not the same as the abortion pill. Many people confuse the two. The abortion pill is used to end an existing pregnancy. Emergency contraception (“the morning-after pill”) is used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure and does not end an established pregnancy.
Risks of a Medical Abortion
As with any medical procedure, medication abortion may have many serious risks and potential side effects. According to Mayo Clinic5 and the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists6 , these may include:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Digestive system discomfort
- An ongoing pregnancy (if the procedure fails)
- Infection
- Fever
NOTE: In a medication abortion the fetus is usually expelled while you are alone. For some women this is potentially traumatic. Your healthcare provider should explain what to expect and when to seek medical attention.
Surgical Abortion
Procedural abortion methods may involve cervical dilation and the use of suction (vacuum aspiration), instruments, or a combination of techniques, depending on the procedure and stage of pregnancy.
There are two main types of surgical abortion: Dilation & Evacuation (D&E) and Dilation & Curettage (D&C). Each abortion type dilates your cervix and incorporates vacuum aspiration as well as surgical tools to remove the pregnancy from the uterus. A surgical abortion is done within an abortion clinic.
Risks of a Surgical Abortion
As with any medical procedure, surgical abortion carries potential risks. The National Library of Medicine7 indicates these may include:
- Perforation of the uterus (when a surgical instrument pokes a hole in the uterus) and other organs
- Damage to the cervix
- Infection
- Heavy bleeding / hemorrhage
- Reaction to the medicines or anesthesia, such as problems breathing
- Not removing all of the tissue, requiring another procedure
- Formation of scar tissue on the uterine wall
According to the FDA, mifepristone (abortion pill) is contraindicated in certain circumstances8, including if patient:
- Has had a prior ectopic pregnancy
- Suffer from adrenal gland disorders
- Are undergoing long-term corticosteroid therapy
- Has previously had allergic reactions to mifepristone, misoprostol, or similar medications
- Has bleeding disorders or are on anticoagulant medication
- Suffers from inherited porphyria
- Has an IUD in place (which must be removed before taking mifepristone)
The information presented on this website is intended for general education purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional and/or medical advice.
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- SOURCE: FDA – U.S. Food and Drug Administration ↩︎
- SOURCE: FDA ↩︎
- SOURCE: ACOG – American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists ↩︎
- SOURCE: FDA ↩︎
- SOURCE: Mayo Clinic ↩︎
- SOURCE: ACOG ↩︎
- SOURCE: National Library of Medicine: Medline Plus ↩︎
- SOURCE: FDA ↩︎