Strength Comes From Knowing All Your Options

We know how you feel; you are not alone. Many of our staff have been where you are. We can help you understand your choices and what makes sense for your personal situation.

Call us to schedule your free and confidential appointment today.

Before having an abortion, you should consider the following:

  • Is your pregnancy normal?
  • Are you at risk for natural miscarriage?
  • Do you have a tubal (ectopic) pregnancy requiring immediate medical attention?
  • How far along are you?
  • What kinds of abortion procedures are available to you?
  • Are there any short-term or long-term risks to consider?
  • Is someone pressuring you to terminate your pregnancy?

Abortion Pill

The “Abortion Pill” or RU-486 is a combination of two drugs, Mifepristone and Misoprostol, which, when taken together, cause loss of pregnancy. The first pill cuts off the supply of progesterone, which is essential to fetal growth, while the second pill induces labor to empty the contents of the uterus.

Symptoms will include severe cramping, heavy bleeding for the next 12 hours, and nausea or vomiting. If you vomit 30 minutes after taking the first pill, you will have to retake the first pill to complete the procedure.

Surgical Abortion

There are two types of surgical abortion procedures, depending on whether you are in your first or second trimester of pregnancy. A first trimester abortion must occur within the first 14 weeks of pregnancy and uses aspiration to remove the pregnancy. It requires the patient to be put under anesthesia, while using a tool to dilate the cervix and suction to remove the contents of the pregnancy. You might experience cramping and bleeding after the procedure.

If you are between 14 and 23 weeks pregnant, you must have a second trimester abortion. This multi-day surgical procedure requires you to stay overnight and will use general anesthesia. Second trimester abortions use the dilation and evacuation approach, which requires the cervix to dilate overnight using laminaria or Dilapan (surgical sticks that help expand the cervix). Once the cervix is dilated, both suction and gynecological tools are used to suck and scrape the contents of the pregnancy out of the body. You should expect to experience bleeding/spotting and cramping.

If you experience any emotional distress in addition to physical symptoms, please make a free and confidential appointment with our trusted and caring staff.

Although we will discuss all your options with you, we do not perform or refer for abortion.

Learn more about:

Abortion | Adoption | Parenting