When surprised by an unplanned pregnancy, you may think abortion is the only choice you’ve got, but there are other options.
If you are considering abortion, first learn about the various procedures, side effects, and potential risks. You need to protect your health and safety.
There are two main types of abortion: the abortion pill method and surgical abortion. How long you have been pregnant determines which method an abortion provider can use.
Because the abortion pill method uses two drugs to end a pregnancy, it is considered a medication or medical abortion. The FDA approves the use of these drugs up to 10 weeks of pregnancy only (70 days from the first day of your last period).
The reason there is a time limit is that the drugs become less effective the farther along you are in your pregnancy. Some experts recommend not using the drugs past 9 weeks (63 days).
You may also have an ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work.
The length of your pregnancy determines the type of surgical procedure you have. If you are 12 weeks or under, an abortion provider can do a vacuum or suction aspiration.
If your pregnancy is over 12 weeks, the provider might use a curette, which is a sharp scraping tool, and possibly forceps.
Surgical abortions often require dilating (opening) your cervix (which leads to the uterus) and local or general anesthesia.
Texas banned abortion, and the FDA does not recommend buying the drugs online. One of the drugs can only be distributed by certified prescribers. You may get drugs the FDA does not regulate by ordering them online.
You can get more information in A Woman’s Right To Know, a pamphlet put out by the Texas Health and Human Services before Texas banned abortion.
Or, schedule a time to meet with one of our client advocates. Although we do not perform or refer for abortion, we can give you factual information in a safe and private atmosphere.