Abortion Incidence in the United States / Image: Guttmacher Institute, 2014

Early Abortion Options

By OBOS Abortion Contributors | April 2, 2014
Abortion is a safe and legal way to end a pregnancy. There are two methods of abortion available
to women in the first trimester of pregnancy. A medication abortion (also called medical
abortion or abortion with pills) involves taking medicines to end a pregnancy. An aspiration
abortion (also called surgical or suction abortion) is a procedure that uses medical instruments in
the vagina and uterus to remove the pregnancy. The information below compares the two
methods.
How far along in the pregnancy can I be?
Medication Abortion: Up to ten weeks from the first day of your last period.
Aspiration Abortion: Up to 12 weeks from the first day of your last period.
What will happen?
Learn more about what to expect during a medication abortion.

Medication Abortion: Generally, the abortion pill (mifepristone) is taken in person at the clinic
or at a doctors office. Most women feel fine after taking mifepristone, though some experience
nausea. At home, 6 to 72 hours later, a second pill, misoprostol, is taken bucally (placed in your
cheek to dissolve) or vaginally, as instructed by your healthcare provider. The abortion starts one
to four hours after taking the misoprostol. Heavy bleeding and cramps last for a couple of hours.
You will have a follow-up appointment about a week later to be sure the abortion is complete.
Learn more about what to expect during an aspiration abortion.
Aspiration Abortion: The abortion takes place in the clinic or office. The actual abortion
procedure takes five to 10 minutes. A physician uses medical instruments in your vagina and
uterus to remove the pregnancy. A return visit is required only if you experience problems, or if
you would like to see a healthcare provider.
How painful is it?
Medication Abortion and Aspiration Abortion: Expect mild to very strong cramps on and off
during the abortion, which may be managed (or helped) with pain medication.
How much will I bleed?
Medication Abortion: Heavy bleeding with clots is common when you are passing the
pregnancy. After that, lighter bleeding may continue off and on for one to two weeks or more.
Aspiration Abortion: Light bleeding generally lasts for one to seven days. Bleeding may
continue off and on for a few weeks.
How much does it cost?
For information on how to find an abortion provider and how to get help paying for an abortion,
see Abortion Resources & Support.
For both types of abortion, the exact costs depends on location, the facility, and timing. Planned
Parenthood estimates that in the United States a medication abortion costs between $300 to $800
and an aspiration abortion (in the first 12 weeks) between $300$950.
Can the abortion fail?
Medication Abortion: The pills work 98 to 99 percent of the time. If the pills fail, you will need
to have an aspiration abortion.
Aspiration Abortion: It works 99 percent of the time. If it fails, you will need to have a repeat
aspiration abortion.
Can I have children afterwards?

Yes. Neither type of abortion reduces your chances of getting or staying pregnant in the future.
Is it safe?
Medication Abortion: Both pills have been used safely since the late 1980s in Europe and since
2000 in the U.S. Major problems are rare. Medication abortion carries at least 10 times less risk
of health complications than continuing a pregnancy.
Aspiration Abortion: Aspiration abortion is a safe and common procedure that has been done
for more than 40 years. Abortion in the first eight weeks is the safest, and problems with any first
trimester abortions are rare. Surgical abortion carries at least 10 times less risk of health
complications than continuing a pregnancy.
What are the advantages?
Medication Abortion: No shots, anesthesia or medical instruments are involved. The abortion
may feel more natural, like a miscarriage. It can be done earlier in the pregnancy than an
aspiration abortion. You have the option to be at home or wherever you feel most
comfortable. You can choose to have someone with you, or you can be alone.
Aspiration Abortion: The procedure is over in a few minutes. There is less bleeding than with a
medication abortion. Medical staff members are with you during the abortion. It can be done
later in the pregnancy than a medication abortion.
What are the disadvantages?
Medication Abortion: It takes one to two days to complete the abortion. Bleeding and cramps
can be very heavy and can last longer than with aspiration abortion. It cannot be done as late in
the first trimester of pregnancy as aspiration abortion.
Aspiration Abortion: It is more invasive; instruments are inserted through the vagina and into
the uterus. Anesthetics and pain medication may cause side effects. You have less control over
the procedure and perhaps over who can accompany you into the room. The vacuum aspirator
may seem noisy. It cannot be done as early in pregnancy as medication abortion.

Frequently Asked Questions about Abortion

By OBOS Abortion Contributors | March 28, 2014
Theres a great deal of misinformation about abortion; in some cases, abortion rights opponents
have intentionally spread myths. What follows are the facts.
Is having an abortion safe?

Having an abortion is safe, and very few women experience complications. Having an abortion
poses fewer risks to a woman than going through pregnancy and birth.
Its estimated that about nine out of 100,000 women in the U.S. die during pregnancy or birth,
while fewer than one in 100,000 women who has an abortion does so. Complications including
hemorrhage, infection, and mental health conditions are also more common among women who
give birth than among those who have abortions.
Will having an abortion affect my ability to get pregnant in the future?
Uncomplicated abortion poses virtually no risk to a womans future reproductive health, as
shown by numerous studies. Very rarely, a serious pelvic infection can cause damage to the
fallopian tubes, which can increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy or fertility problems. You can
decrease this risk by seeking prompt treatment if symptoms of infection occur.
Does having an abortion increase my risk of breast cancer?
No. In 2003, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) convened a workshop of more than a hundred
experts from around the world to evaluate the research. These experts concluded that induced
abortion is not associated with an increase in breast cancer risk. The NCIs follow-up reviews
and analyses continue to support this conclusion.
Do women who have had an abortion suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, postabortion syndrome, or post-abortion stress syndrome?
No. In spite of claims by abortion rights opponents that women who have abortions are at risk of
post-abortion syndrome (PAS) or post-abortion stress syndrome (PASS), no such syndrome
is recognized by any mainstream professional organization.
Women who have had an abortion most frequently report relief, positive emotions, and decreased
stress after an abortion. Some women also feel sadness and loss after an abortion, as well as
anger, confusion, shame, and guilt, even when they know theyve made the best decision.
Abortion is not associated with long-term psychological distress.
How To Terminate A Pregnancy: Home Remedies For Unwanted Pregnancy
By upu on February 8, 2012

Being pregnant and delivering a child is considered to be a boon for every woman.
Unfortunately, due to any untoward circumstances, a woman may not wish to carry an unwanted
pregnancy. Such women search for ways to terminate pregnancy. The type of procedure depends
on how many weeks a woman is pregnant.
During the initial weeks of pregnancy, the preferred options may be medical abortion or surgical
termination of pregnancy. Before considering any procedures for termination of pregnancy, it is

necessary to determine with the help of sonogram the viability of pregnancy and accurate weeks
of pregnancy.

Terminating An Unwanted Pregnancy?

For the first seven to nine weeks of pregnancy, the options may be with abortion pills. For first
trimester, dilatation and curettage of uterus is advised by gynecologist as the surest way of
abortion. Any type of abortion procedures should be done with the help of gynecologist.

Mifepristone and misoprostol: it is used up to first seven weeks of pregnancy.

It is also known as RU-486 or the abortion pill.

Aspiration: it is a surgical method of terminating pregnancy up to 12 to16

weeks. Many people refer it as dilatation and curettage (D&C).

During the second trimester, medical abortion with pills is not effective. The type of pregnancy
termination methods used is:

Dilatation and curettage (D&C): it is often the best surgical option method
that can be used till 16 weeks of gestation.

Dilatation and evacuation (D&E): it is usually preferred after 16 weeks of

pregnancy.

Termination of pregnancy in the third trimester includes surgical procedure of dilatation and
extraction. It is also known as intrauterine cranial decompression. In many countries termination
of pregnancy is considered illegal during the second and third trimester.

Home Remedies For Terminating Early Pregnancy

Many women do not want to divulge their pregnancy nor do they want anyone to know about
their miscarriage. These women resort to different natural ways to terminate pregnancy. Natural
methods of terminating unwanted pregnancy are used since centuries.
These methods are tried only during first trimester. However there is no certainty of it being
totally effective. In case if the method fails, the woman has to resort to traditional D&C surgical
option. Some of ways to terminate pregnancy naturally include:

Parsley tea with vitamin C supplement is good to begin with. Parsley tea is
prepared by boiling parsley in water. Steep parsley for 15 minutes and drain
the liquid. Sip 2 to 3 tea spoons of this herbal tea three to four times in a day.

Angelica/ Dong Quai is a uterine stimulant. It helps to contract the uterus,

thus helping the contents to be expelled.

Black cohosh/ blue cohosh are other natural herbs that help the uterine
contractions and relaxation of cervix.

It is necessary to consult your doctor before taking the herbs. These herbs should be avoided in
case the woman is suffering from diabetes, hypertension, kidney, heart and liver disease.

Terminating Early Pregnancy Without Seeing Doctor

Self induced abortion or terminating a pregnancy without consulting a doctor in this modern age
is not advised. This is because there are several safe options and medical methods available to
terminate an unwanted pregnancy. Self induced abortion can be life threatening.
Some of the methods that are still practiced to terminate pregnancy without going to doctor are:

Lifting heavy objects in the beginning stage of pregnancy.

Massage over the abdomen.

Consuming certain foods that are known to be abortifacient, such as drinking

carrot seed soup.

A woman receives punches and kicks over the abdomen.

Douching with substances that may have anecdotal history of inducing

abortion.

Inserting vaginal pessaries and other herbal preparation in the vagina.

Hitting the belly over hard surface.

Inserting hazardous objects into the vagina and uterus.

All the above methods are unreliable and dangerous. They may do more harm than good.