What are the Different Types of Abortion?

Read on to learn the essential information about chemical and surgical abortions. If you would
like to discuss your pregnancy and options with someone, contact Heartbeat of Lima to
schedule a free, confidential appointment.

Chemical Abortion: What To Know
A chemical abortion is commonly referred to as the abortion pill and uses two powerful drugs to
end a pregnancy.

With a chemical abortion, you will typically take two drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol, that
you administer yourself. This procedure is FDA-approved through 10 weeks gestation, so it's an
option for earlier pregnancies.

Mifepristone works by blocking the hormone progesterone. Within 24-48 hours, you would take
misoprostol, which causes uterine contractions and expels the pregnancy from your body.
This is more than just taking pills, it's a serious medical procedure. There are severe risks to be
aware of with a chemical abortion.

● Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
● An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn't work
● Heavy and prolonged bleeding
● Infection
● Fever
● Digestive system discomfort

Surgical Abortion: What To Know
A surgical abortion uses a combination of drugs, surgical instruments, or suction to remove the
pregnancy and its related tissue from the uterus.
Surgical abortions take place in a hospital or clinic and are typically performed in the later
stages of pregnancy.

You will likely spend a few hours in a recovery room following the procedure to recover from
anesthesia, as well as check for heavy bleeding and other complications.
The risks of a surgical abortion include:
● Uterine perforation (when one of the medical instruments pokes a hole in your uterus)
● Uterine scarring (which can cause future infertility and painful periods)
● Infection
● Cervical damage

Get All The Facts
This is a short introduction to the two types of abortions, but it is by no means all you need to
know.

Before you schedule an abortion, you want to check yourself for any risk factors that might

negatively impact your health. There are more physical and mental health risks you should be
aware of.

You can do this by scheduling an appointment at Heartbeat of Lima to get all the facts. We
provide free pregnancy services to gather critical details about your pregnancy and consult you
about your options.

Make an appointment today. We care and will listen.