The two main types of abortion are medical and surgical abortion.

A medical abortion consists of two medications, mifepristone and misoprostol, to terminate the pregnancy. This is more commonly known as the “Abortion Pill.” The first pill, Mifepristone, blocks the hormone progesterone from being released, which prevents the embryo from attaching to the wall of the uterus. The uterine wall begins to shed causing the baby to die. The second pill, misoprostol, stimulates the uterus to contract and the cervix to soften in order for the fetal remains to be expelled from the woman’s body. It is important to know if a medical abortion is legal in the state you live in as several states have enacted abortion bans. According to the Utah State Legislature, “an abortion may be performed in this state only by a physician,” and must be under 18 weeks gestation. Many providers, however, will not prescribe the abortion pill if you are more than 10-13 weeks gestation due to increased risk of complications or failed abortions. If you believe you are pregnant and are contemplating a medical abortion, it is important to obtain verification of your pregnancy by ultrasound to determine viability of the baby, and that the baby has not implanted outside of the uterus. The abortion pill will not terminate an ectopic pregnancy, and this is life-threatening for the mother, often requiring surgical intervention by a healthcare provider. It is also important to talk to a healthcare provider about your medical health history to prevent possible complications with the abortion pills, and to talk about the side effects that may occur. If you have taken the first pill, mifepristone, and regret your decision, it may not be too late to change your mind. Call the abortion pill reversal 24/7 helpline at 1-877-558-0333 or go to https://www.abortionpillreversal.com/ to chat with someone who will be able to connect you with a medical professional nearby to talk to you about your options.

Side effects from the abortion pill can vary and may or may not be experienced. The most common reported side effects are abdominal pain and discomfort from cramping, dizziness, fever, chills, gastrointestinal upset, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The most common side effect is bleeding following an abortion. Most often the bleeding will resolve on its own within a few days, however, if the bleeding saturates more than one sanitary pad in an hour, or you are experiencing a fever greater than 100.4°F, it is important to seek immediate medical attention as these are signs of hemorrhaging or infection.

There are a few ways a surgical abortion is performed by a healthcare provider, usually determined by gestational age. If within the first trimester, or before 13 weeks gestation, a provider will often use the vacuum aspiration procedure to perform the abortion. In a vacuum aspiration procedure, a provider will insert a tool called a speculum into the vagina to keep it open. The provider will clean the vagina and cervix and numb the cervix with an anesthetic. A small tube is attached to a suction machine or a syringe and then inserted into the uterus to aspirate the baby from the womb. The procedure only takes a few minutes.

For a surgical abortion performed in the second trimester, or more than 12-13 weeks gestation, a provider will most often use the Dilation and Evacuation method, or D&E. An ultrasound will be performed to accurately date the pregnancy as this can determine how much the cervix will need to be dilated beforehand. Medication, laminaria, or rods will be used to dilate the cervix, often the day before the procedure is performed. Sedation or an epidural block is given to help with pain during the procedure. Some providers will inject a medication into the abdomen before the procedure to stop the baby’s heart. The vagina and cervix will be cleaned before inserting forceps to remove the baby, and a curette to scrape the walls of the uterus or a vacuum to ensure all the fetal contents are removed. Upon completion of the abortion, most providers will watch you for an hour or so to ensure no complications occur.

Side effects from a surgical abortion are similar to those of a medical abortion. They include bleeding, dizziness, cramping, nausea, and fatigue that can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Complications are reportedly rare, but can include infection, hemorrhaging, and cervical or vaginal tissue damage. If you had a surgical abortion and are experiencing any of those symptoms, it is important to seek immediate medical care.

If you think you may be pregnant and are unsure what to do, The Well provides free pregnancy testing and ultrasounds to confirm pregnancy, as well as options counseling. Before making a decision about what to do if you are pregnant, it is important to know all the options available to you; parenting, adoption, and abortion. You do not need to make this decision alone. The Well has advocates who would love to sit down with you and hear your story to help you make an informed decision that is best for you with no pressure. If you have gone through an abortion and are experiencing regret, grief, depression, or trauma from the experience, The Well can offer comfort and help through the Past Abortion Care and Education (PACE) Program.

You are not alone. We are here for you.

• https://www.webmd.com/women/abortion-procedures
• https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title76/Chapter7/76-7-S302.html
• https://www.abortionpillreversal.com/