Abortion ~ Procedures and Risks

First, Second, and Third Trimester Abortions  •  RU-486 ("Abortion Pill")  •  Emergency Contraception ("Morning-After Pill")

Abortion Risks  •  FAQ

Facing an unplanned pregnancy is very hard. It is perfectly normal to be experiencing a whole range of emotions, including fear, anger, confusion, doubt, even depression. At this time, despite the stress, you need to take time to think through all your alternatives. This is one of the biggest decisions you may make in your life. We want to offer you the best information possible because we believe that before you decide what you are going to do with your pregnancy, you deserve to know the facts. Then you can work through your emotions and make an informed decision for yourself and your baby.

There are many types of abortion procedures. The one performed depends on how far along the pregnancy is. It is important for you to understand exactly what each procedure entails before you commit to it. Below is information about different types of abortion procedures; you can also see the FAQ for answers to your other questions.

FIRST TRIMESTER (1-12 Weeks)

Manual Vacuum Aspiration
This surgical abortion is done early in the pregnancy up to 7 weeks after the woman’s last menstrual period. The cervical muscle is stretched with dilators (metal rods or laminaria) until the opening is wide enough to allow the abortion instruments to pass into the uterus. A hand held syringe is attached to tubing that is inserted into the uterus and the fetus is suctioned out.

Suction Curettage
This procedure is the most common of all abortions. In a suction curettage abortion, the doctor opens the cervix with a dilator (a metal rod) or laminaria (a porous material which expands with moisture in order to open and soften the cervix). The doctor inserts tubing into the uterus and connects the tubing to a suction machine. The suction pulls the fetus’s body apart and out of the uterus.

Dilation and Curettage (D&C)
A less common first trimester abortion method is called Dilation and Curettage (D&C). In this method, the cervix is dilated and a curette, or loop-shaped tube, is inserted into the uterus to pull the fetus’s body apart and detach the placenta from the wall of the uterus. All body parts and membranes are then scraped out of the woman’s body.

SECOND TRIMESTER (13-24 Weeks)

Dilation and Evacuation (D&E)
The fetus will double in size between the eleventh and twelfth weeks in pregnancy. Because of this, the pre-born’s body is too large to be broken up by suction and it will not pass through the suction tubing. So, in a D&E abortion procedure, the cervix must be dilated more than in a first-trimester abortion. This is usually accomplished by a doctor’s visit a day or two before the abortion to insert laminaria. After opening the cervix, the doctor dismembers the body of the fetus and pulls out the body parts with forceps. The skull is crushed to ease its removal.

THIRD TRIMESTER (25-36 Weeks)

Dilation and Extraction (D&X)
This surgical abortion is done from 20 weeks on and is often called a partial-birth abortion. The procedure takes three days. During the first two days, the cervix is dilated and medication is given for cramping. On the third day, the woman receives medication to start labor. After labor begins the abortionist uses ultrasound to locate the baby’s legs. Grasping a leg with forceps, the doctor delivers the baby up to the baby’s head. Next, scissors are inserted in the base of the skull to create an opening. A suction catheter is placed in the opening to remove the skulls contents. With the brain removed, the skull collapses and the fetus is removed. Finally, the abortionist removes the placenta and scrapes the uterine walls with a suction curette to make sure the uterus is empty. [Back to top]

MEDICAL ABORTIONS

RU-486 (Mifepristone or "Abortion Pills")
This medical abortion is used for women who are within 30-49 days from their last menstrual period. This procedure usually requires three office visits. The RU-486, or mifepristone pills, are given to the woman during her first office visit. These pills cut off nutrients to the fetus. Two days later the woman returns to the doctor for a second medication called misprostol. Misoprostol causes contractions to begin, and the uterus will expel the fetus. One more visit will be required to insure that the abortion was complete. If all fetal parts were not expelled, then a surgical abortion (D&C) will be required.

Emergency Contraception ("Morning-After" Pill)
The “Morning After Pill” is an contraceptive that can be taken within 72 hours of intercourse to prevent pregnancy. The pill is a high dosage of the birth control pill, and when it is used accurately, it prevents or ends pregnancy. Typically the pill comes in a kit including a pregnancy test, pills, and an information book. Here's why a pregnancy test is included--urine pregnancy tests can detect pregnancy no earlier than 7-10 days after conception. So a positive pregnancy test at this point, would indicate that you have already become pregnant from a previous encounter and should not take the morning after pill.

Here’s how the pill works. There is variation from brand to brand, but usually there is a series of pills that need to be taken within those first 72 hours after intercourse, then more pills 12 hours later. These could do one of three things depending on where you are in your menstrual cycle. There is no way to tell which process will take place in your body. 

       1. Ovulation will be prevented; therefore the sperm will have nothing to fertilize.
       2. Ovulation will be delayed.
       3. If you have already ovulated, the lining of your uterus will become irritated and not allow a fertilized egg to implant into the uterus. This terminates the life of the embryo. [Back to top]

ABORTION RISKS*

Abortion carries the risk of significant complications such as bleeding, infection, and damage to organs. Serious medical complications occur infrequently in early abortions, but increase with later abortions. Getting complete information on the risks associated with abortion is limited due to incomplete reporting and the lack of record-keeping linking abortions to complications. The information that is available reports the following risks:

Heavy Bleeding
Some bleeding after abortion is normal. However, if the cervix is torn or the uterus is punctured, there is a risk of severe bleeding known as hemorrhaging. When this happens, a blood transfusion may be required. Severe bleeding is also a risk with the use of the abortion pill: one in 100 women require surgery to stop the bleeding.

Infection
Infection can develop from the insertion of medical instruments into the uterus, or from fetal parts that are mistakenly left inside (known as an incomplete abortion). This may cause heavy bleeding and a pelvic infection requiring antibiotics and a repeat abortion to fully empty the uterus. Infection may cause scarring of the pelvic organs.

Sepsis
Use of the abortion pill has resulted in the death of a number of women due to sepsis (total body infection).

Damage to the Cervix
The cervix may be cut, torn, or damaged by the abortion instruments.

Scarring/Perforation of the Uterus and Lining
Instruments used during the abortion may puncture the uterus or cause permanent scarring on the uterine lining. The risk of this complication increase with the length of the pregnancy.

Damage to Internal Organs
If the uterus is punctured or torn, there is also a risk that damage may occur to nearby organs such as the bowel and bladder.

Death
In extreme cases, complications from abortion (excessive bleeding, infection, etc.) may lead to death. This complication is rare.

**It is possible that you will incur none of the above immediate physical risks; however scarring or other injury caused during an abortion may prevent future pregnancies or place them at increased risk for complications. The risk of miscarriage is greater for women who abort their first pregnancy.**

And you also need to consider the…
Emotional Impact
Many women experience strong negative emotions after abortion. Sometimes this occurs within days and sometimes it happens years later. This psychological response is known as Post-Abortion Stress (PAS). Several factors that impact the likelihood of PAS include the following: the woman's age, the abortion circumstances, the stage of pregnancy at which the abortion occurs, and the woman's religious beliefs.

Spiritual Consequences
It is a simple and basic fact that people have different understandings of God. Whatever your present beliefs may be, there is a spiritual side to abortion that deserves your consideration. Having an abortion affects more than just your body or your psychological state—it also affects a human life (the baby) and your relationship with God. Take the time to ask yourself, "What is God's desire for me in this situation? How does God see my unborn child?" These are important questions to consider.  [Back to top]

ABORTION FAQ**

• Do you offer surgical abortions, the morning-after pill, or RU-486?
No. We do not perform or refer for abortions. Nor do we dispense the morning-after pill or RU-486.

• Should I really be concerned about having an abortion?
Abortion is not just a simple medical procedure. For every woman, it is a life-changing event with significant physical, emotional, and spiritual consequences. Most women who struggle with past abortions say that they wish they had been told all of the facts about abortion before they consented to having one. This is not a decision to make lightly, but should be seriously considered from many different perspectives. Here are some questions to ask yourself: "Why I am considering having an abortion?" "Is this embryo inside of me a human life?” “What other options do I have?” “In the long run, what would be the best choice to make?"

• What are the various types of abortion procedures?
Scroll up or click here for information about the different surgical abortions performed in each trimester, as well as medical abortion procedures.

• Can I have a baby and still live my life?
It’s an understandable initial response to view this unplanned pregnancy as a major barrier in your life. Thankfully however, there are many other paths that will help you get things back on course. Be encouraged to know that many women in your same situation have found the necessary help and resources to make positive choices regarding their unplanned pregnancies and still follow their dreams.

• Wouldn’t an abortion be better than nine months of pregnancy that wrecks my body?
It’s true that a pregnancy will change your body, but it’s also true many women still stay in great shape and actually enjoy their changing body. If you’re fearful that pregnancy will hurt your body, you also need to think about the physical risks caused by abortion. An abortion now can affect your ability to conceive children and carry to term later in life—women who have an abortion are 200% more likely to miscarry than women who have never had an abortion. You are not doing your body any favors by subjecting it to an abortion. Scroll up, or click here for more on the health risks involved in abortion.

• Will an abortion be difficult emotionally?
Many women experience strong negative emotions after abortion. Sometimes this occurs within days, and sometimes it happens years later. This psychological response is known as Post-Abortion Stress (PAS). Several factors that impact the likelihood of PAS include the following: the woman's age, the abortion circumstances, the stage of pregnancy at which the abortion occurs, and the woman's religious beliefs. You can go here for more information on PAS and the emotional struggles related to abortion.

• Well, if I decide not to have an abortion what are my other options?
Your other options are to carry to term and either parent or place for adoption. Please come in and talk to one of our client advocates for more information about both these options. You can also get started by reading on our website about both parenting and adoption.

• Isn’t having an abortion easier than giving up my baby for adoption?
Adoption does involve heartache. But abortion too can cause guilt and shame. Adoption can cause grief, but also gives hope for a positive future—for you and your baby. Placing your baby in a loving home is an opportunity to bring good and honorable things out of your unplanned pregnancy. Click here for more information on the option of adoption.

• If abortion is legal, how can it be the wrong choice?
Just because something is legal, it doesn’t mean it’s a good choice for you. Smoking, gambling, and cheating on your spouse are all “legal.” Our country is in conflict about the legal worth of a fetus. For example, a fetus is protected from a mother who is abusing drugs. And even the woman who was the original “Roe” in Roe v. Wade (the court case that legalized abortion) is now speaking out against it. Don’t depend on the legal system to make your moral choices for you!

• Why does this matter if it’s just getting rid of a “blob of tissue”?
Actually, an embryo develops very quickly and is much more than an unformed “blob of tissue.” From day one, all necessary information is present for the baby’s gender, height, hair color, etc. The heart is beating at 21 days. Here is more detailed information on fetal development: Pregnancy—The First Nine Months.

• I’m being pressured to have an abortion. What can I do?
Remember, you are the only person who will have to live with the consequences of this decision. If your boyfriend or parents are pressuring you to make a quick decision, take a moment to consider the consequences of this choice. Do your best to explain your needs to those pressuring you. Try to involve them in counseling, where you can talk about positive options. You have the right to continue with this pregnancy.  No one can force you to have an abortion. You cannot afford to allow others to make a decision that you will have to live with for the rest of your life. [Back to top]

*Abortion risk references are found in Care-Net's pamphlet "Before You Decide."

**Some questions and answers are taken from Heritage House's pamphlet "Ten Reasons I Want an Abortion"