Abortion Procedures and Risks

Abortion is not just a simple medical procedure. For many women, 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 and its risks.

Our trained consultants are available 24/7 to answer your questions about abortion and to connect you to local help. Call 1-800-395-HELP or local 419 334-9079 or e-mail us as at all hours. You can also read the information below to learn more about abortion procedures and the risks associated with abortion.

Abortion Procedures

Morning After Pill (MAP): within 72 hours of sexual intercourse

Also known as "Emergency Contraception," this procedure consists of a pregnancy test and two doses of pills. The woman first must take a pregnancy test and receive a negative test result before taking the pills. If a negative test result occurs from the pregnancy test, then the woman is instructed to take the first dose of the Morning After Pill. Note: a negative result indicates that the woman is probably not pregnant from intercourse during her previous monthly cycle, but it will not show whether or not she just became pregnant (from intercourse the "night before"). She is instructed to take this first dose as soon as possible, but not more than 72 hours after intercourse. The woman takes a second dose 12 hours after the first dose. If conception already occurred within the 72 hour time frame (that is the "night before"), the life is expelled. This is an early abortion.

RU486, Mifepristone: within 4 to 7 weeks after LMP

Also known as the Abortion Pill, this medical abortion is used for women who are within 28 to 49 days after their last menstrual period. This procedure usually requires three office visits. The RU 486 or mifepristone pills are given to the woman who returns two days later for a second medication called misoprostol. The combination of these medications causes the uterus to expel the fetus.

Early Vacuum Aspiration: within 7 weeks after LMP

This surgical abortion is done early in the pregnancy up until 7 weeks after the woman's last menstrual period. The cervical muscle is stretched with dilators (metal rods) 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: within 6 to 14 weeks after LMP

In this procedure, the doctor opens the cervix with a dilator (a metal rod) or laminaria (thin sticks derived from plants and inserted several hours before the procedure). The doctor inserts tubing into the uterus and connects the tubing to a suction machine. The suction pulls the fetus' body apart and out of the uterus. One variation of this procedure is called Dilation and Curettage (D&C). In this method, the doctor may use a curette, a loop-shaped knife, to scrape the fetal parts out of the uterus.

Dilation and Evacuation (D&E): within 13 to 24 weeks after LMP

This surgical abortion is done during the second trimester of pregnancy. Because the developing fetus doubles in size between the thirteenth and fourteenth weeks of pregnancy, the body of the fetus is too large to be broken up by suction and will not pass through the suction tubing. In this procedure, the cervix must be opened wider than in a first trimester abortion. This is done by inserting laminaria a day or two before the abortion. After opening the cervix, the doctor pulls out the fetal parts with forceps. The fetus' skull is crushed to ease removal.

Dilation and Extraction (D&X): from 20 weeks after LMP to full-term

Also known as Partial-birth Abortion, this 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 abortion doctor 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 into the base of the skull to create an opening. A suction catheter is placed into the opening to remove the skull contents. The skull collapses and the baby is removed.

Immediate Risks of Abortion

Induced abortion carries a risk of several side effects. These risks include abdominal pain and cramping, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In most abortions, no serious complications occur. However, the risk of complications is about 1 out of every 100 early abortions and in about 1 out of every 50 later abortions. Such complications may include:

• Heavy Bleeding - Some bleeding after abortion is normal. However, there is a risk of hemorrhage, especially if the uterine artery is torn. When this happens, a blood transfusion may be required.

• Infection - There is a risk that bacteria may get into the uterus from an incomplete abortion resulting in infection. A serious infection may lead to persistent fever over several days and extended hospitalization.

• Incomplete Abortion - There is a risk that some fetal parts may not be removed by the abortion. Bleeding and infection may occur. RU486 may fail in up to 1 out of every 20 cases.

• Allergic Reaction to Drugs - There is a risk of an allergic reaction to the anesthesia used during abortion surgery. These risks include convulsions, heart attack and, in extreme cases, death.

• Tearing of the Cervix - There is a risk that the cervix may be cut or torn by abortion instruments.

• Scarring of the Uterine Lining - There is a risk that suction tubing, curettes, and other abortion instruments may cause permanent scarring of the uterine lining.

• Perforation of the Uterus - There is a risk that the uterus may be punctured or torn by abortion instruments. The risk of this complication increases with the length of the pregnancy. If this occurs, major surgery, including a hysterectomy, may be required.

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

• Death - In extreme cases, there is a risk of other physical complications from abortion including excessive bleeding, infection, organ damage from a perforated uterus, and adverse reactions to anesthesia may lead to death. This complication is very rare and occurs, on average, in less than 20 cases per year.

What Are Some of the Other Risks of Abortion?

Abortion may increase the risk of Breast Cancer

Medical experts are still researching and debating the linkage between abortion and breast cancer. However, a 1994 study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found: "Among women who had been pregnant at least once, the risk of breast cancer in those who had experienced an induced abortion was 50% higher than among other women."

Here are other important facts:

1. Carrying a pregnancy to full term gives protection against breast cancer that does not occur if the pregnancy is aborted.

2. Abortion causes a sudden drop in estrogen levels that may make breast cells more susceptible to cancer.

3. Most studies conducted so far show a significant link between abortion and breast cancer.

Abortion May Effect Risk Levels in Future Pregnancies

Scarring or other injury during an abortion may prevent or place at risk future wanted pregnancies. The risk of miscarriage is greater for women who abort their first pregnancy.

Abortion May Increase the Risk of Emotional Problems

Some women experience strong negative emotions after abortion. Sometimes this occurs within days and sometimes it happens after many years. This psychological response is known as Post-Abortion Stress (PAS). Several factors that increase the risk of Post-Abortion Stress include: the woman's age, the abortion circumstances, the stage of pregnancy at which the abortion occurs, and the woman's religious beliefs.

Post-Abortion Stress Symptoms

• Guilt

• Anger

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Suicidal Thoughts

• Anniversary Grief

• Flashbacks of Abortion

• Sexual Dysfunction

• Relationship Problems

• Eating Disorders

• Alcohol and Drug Abuse

• Psychological Reactions

If you are feeling any of the above symptoms you call our center and ask about our HEART program - Healing the Effects of Abortion Related Trama.  

Spiritual Consequences

People have different understandings of God. Whatever your present beliefs may be, there is a spiritual side to abortion that deserves to be considered. Having an abortion may affect more than just your body and your mind -- it may have an impact on your relationship with God. What is God's desire for you in this situation? How does God see your unborn child? These are important questions to consider.

Know Your Options

You have the legal right to choose the outcome of your pregnancy. But real empowerment comes when you find the resources and inner strength necessary to make your best choice. Here are some other options.

Parenting

Choosing to continue your pregnancy and to parent is very challenging. But with the support of caring people, parenting classes, and other resources, many women find the help they need to make this choice.

Adoption

Help Is Available

Facing an unexpected pregnancy can seem overwhelming. That is why knowing where to go for help is important. Talk to someone you can trust - your partner, your parents, a pastor, a priest or perhaps a good friend. Also, the caring people at Heartbeat of Fremont are available to help you through this difficult time. To speak to someone immediately, call this toll-free number: 800 395-HELP.

Note: We offer peer counseling and accurate information about all pregnancy options; however, we do not offer or directly refer for abortion services.

 

Abortion Clinic Health and Safety Checklist

Some Health and Safety Issues to Consider Prior to an Abortion:

Before you go to an abortion clinic or visit another abortion provider, you are strongly encouraged to consider some relevant and important safety and health issues:

1. Confirm Your Pregnancy:
   One step you should take is to be certain you are pregnant. It is possible that you are not. Call 1-800-395-HELP, or Email us. Although we are not a medical facility, our trained consultants will offer free pregnancy tests. 

2. Understand the Risks of the Abortion Procedure:
   Every abortion procedure involves some potential risk of harm. You have the legal right to know what type of procedure will be performed upon you and what specific risks of harm are associated with the performance of this procedure on you. This website and our trained phone consultants can help you begin to understand some of the potential physical and psychological affects that an abortion may have upon you.
3. Investigate the Qualifications of the Abortion Provider:
   Find out the name of the abortion doctor who will perform your abortion procedure. Make sure that the person who will perform the abortion is a licensed physician and a board certified obstetrician-gynecologist. Also, make sure that the abortion doctor has appropriate privileges to admit you to a hospital in the event that there are any complications. Many states maintain public records about past medical malpractice judgments and settlements. Call the appropriate state agency to find out about any medical malpractice suits involving the abortion doctor who is scheduled to perform your abortion. You should be wary of any abortion doctor who has an unusual history of multiple malpractice suits.
4. Maintain the Right to Say "No":
   Since abortion is almost always an elective surgery, you can change your mind at any time right up until the abortion has begun. You have every right to say, "I've changed my mind," while you are in the waiting room or on the table awaiting the abortion. Saying "Stop!" is your right. Don't feel pressured into having the abortion if you've decided against it or just want time to reconsider.

Note: Heartbeat of Fremont offers peer counseling and accurate information about all pregnancy options; however, we do not offer or directly refer for abortion services.

Emergency contraception: The "morning-after pill"   What is it? Emergency contraception (also known as the morning-after pill) is a high dosage of the birth control pill. It is recommended to be used after sexual intercourse, over a period of 72 hours, to achieve the goal of preventing (or ending) pregnancy. There are three different ways birth control pills are currently being promoted for this use: progesterone alone, estrogen alone, or both of these artificial steroids together. These are the same steroids found in the typical birth control pill. Where did this idea come from? The idea of emergency contraception—or a morning-after pill—is based on a theory. Under this theory, if a woman has sexual intercourse and fears she may be pregnant, she can take large doses of birth control pills. If in fact the woman is pregnant when she takes these birth control pills, the high dosage could act to kill her preborn child—a living human being. The only "emergency" in this case is the woman's fear of being pregnant. There are at least two formulations of the birth control pill that are being marketed as "emergency contraceptives." Also, double doses (or more) of existing birth control pills are also prescribed (or self- administered) as "emergency contraception." Though no testing has been done to confirm the safety of these large doses of birth control pills for women (and very limited testing has been done on the specifically marketed "morning-after" pills), the Food and Drug Administration has approved this use. How do emergency contraception/morning-after pills work? The emergency contraceptive/morning-after pill has three possible ways in which it can work (as does the regular birth control pill): Ovulation is inhibited, meaning the egg will not be released; The normal menstrual cycle is altered, delaying ovulation; or It can irritate the lining of the uterus so that if the first and second actions fail, and the woman does become pregnant, the human being created will die before he or she can actually attach to the lining of the uterus. In other words, if the third action occurs, her body rejects the living human embryo, and the child will die. This result is a chemical abortion. (Abortion is an act of direct killing that takes the life of a living preborn human being—a life that begins at fertilization.) Is it safe? Here are some of the side effects: nausea vomiting infertility breast tenderness ectopic pregnancy (can be life threatening) blood clot formation Emergency contraception also offers no protection against sexually transmitted diseases including AIDS. There are no long term studies to show whether women will be permanently damaged, or risk such diseases as cancer, from these chemicals being given in such high doses. Sources: A Consumer's Guide to the Pill and Other Drugs, by pharmacist/researcher John Wilks. Infant Homicides Through Contraceptives, by pharmacist Bogomir Kuhar; 2nd edition, 1995. Medical consultant: Stephen Spaulding, M.D. Dr. Spaulding is a board-certified family practitioner whose writings have appeared in a variety of medical journals.