If you are thinking about abortion, it is important to know that abortion is not just a simple medical procedure. There are things you need to know in order to protect your health.

RU486 (Abortion Pill): Within 4 to 7 weeks after last menstrual period. This drug is only approved for use in women up to the 49th day after their last menstrual period. The procedure usually requires three office visits. On the first visit, the woman is given pills to cause the death of the embryo. Two days later, if the abortion has not occurred, she is given a second drug with causes cramps to expel the embryo. The last visit is a follow up ultrasound to determine if the procedure has been completed.

RU486 will not work in the case of an ectopic pregnancy. This is a potentially life-threatening condition in which the embryo lodges outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. ^13,14,15,16

Manual Vacuum Aspiration: up to 7 weeks LMP
In this surgical abortion a long, thin tube is inserted into the uterus. A large syringe is attached to the tube and the embryo is suctioned out. ^4,5

Suction Curettage: 6 to 14 weeks after LMP
Because the fetus is larger, the cervix must be stretched open using metal rods. Opening the cervix may be painful, so local or general anesthesia may be needed. After the cervix is stretched open, the doctor inserts a hard plastic tube into the uterus, then connects the tube to a suction machine. The suction pulls the fetus’ body apart and out of the uterus. A loop-shaped tool called a curette may be used to scrape the fetus and fetal parts out of the uterus.^6,7,8

Other methods used after 13 weeks include Dilation and Evacuation and other Late Term Abortion procedures.

Abortion carries the risk of significant complications. You owe it to yourself to understand these potential risks.

LifeChoice can help, call for an appointment today.