While abortion may not be the only option when you are having an unplanned pregnancy; it may be your best option at the time. You may still be at school, not have financial and emotional support at the time or maybe you are just not ready to be a parent.  At My Choice Medical Center abortion clinic, we give you an option to terminate your pregnancy if that’s your best option considering your circumstances.

What Is the Morning After Pill?

Sometimes you don’t wait to have an abortion if you have had unprotected or inadequately protected intercourse. You can use this emergency pill to prevent pregnancy.  This is a hormonal pill that is similar in composition to the birth control pill; though it has a much higher dosage.  You are required to take the initial dose within a period of 72 hours after engaging in unprotected sex.  A second dose should then be taken 12 hours after the first. However, this method should only be used as an emergency method, and only if the birth control you are using at the time fails.

How Does This Pill Function?

The morning after pill works by preventing or delaying the discharge of an egg from the ovary if taken before ovulation. If you have already ovulated, it prevents the egg from moving to the fallopian tubes and getting implanted. This pill is not used for abortion but minimizes your chances of getting pregnant.

The Abortion Pill (Up to 10 Weeks)

On arrival at the clinic you will fill out your medical history, your vital signs will be checked and an ultrasound conducted to determine how far you are into your pregnancy.  If you are not more than 10 weeks, you are eligible for medical abortion.

Medical abortion or use of the abortion pill is the preferred method of abortion for many women because of the privacy and convenience it offers.  Mifepristone is the preferred drug used to medically terminate early pregnancies.

We offer this no surgery abortion option to women up to 10 weeks in gestation.  We use the drug Mifeprex (RU-486) to interrupt your pregnancy and Misoprostol to facilitate the contraction of your uterus and expel your pregnancy like a regular menstrual period. A medical abortion may cause heavier bleeding that may consist of some clots.

The duration of bleeding after undergoing a medical abortion may last longer than a normal menstrual cycle. On your return to the clinic for a follow-up; the doctor ascertains that the abortion is complete.  Medical abortion rarely has any side effects that will affect your fertility, and you should expect to resume your regular menstrual cycle after the procedure.

Surgical Abortion

Though use of the abortion pill is the most common method of abortion in the United States, surgical abortion is also a very common method of abortion because it takes a shorter time and has higher success rates.

Aspiration Abortion

In an aspiration abortion procedure, the uterine contents are expelled by suction, through a thin tube (cannula) that is inserted in the uterus and connected to either a handheld syringe or an electric pump as the sources of suction.  The procedure is referred to as a Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA) if no electric pump is used.

Before conducting the procedure, the doctor performs a pelvic exam an ultrasound may also be performed before the procedure to confirm how far along you are into your pregnancy. An ultrasound can also be performed after the procedure to confirm that the contents of the uterus have been emptied.

Aspiration abortion is a safe and effective procedure for terminating a first-trimester pregnancy. Though rare, in case the procedure fails it can always be repeated.

Dilation and Evacuation

If you decide to have an abortion later into your pregnancy, dilation and evacuation (D & E) is one of the most commonly used methods. This method uses a combination of suction instruments to remove fetal and placental tissue. Many women prefer this method because it’s quick and doesn’t require hospitalization.

Induction Abortion

A number of late-term abortions are conducted by induction abortion where labor is induced with drugs. At around 24 weeks of pregnancy dilation and evacuation can no longer be performed and the only option available at this time is an induction abortion. This method involves the use of medication that causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy.

This procedure is conducted in specialized facilities where there is a certain degree of care or personal attention. Having an induction abortion is similar to undergoing labor. However, since the fetus is smaller, it takes a considerably shorter period of time.

Preparation for an induction abortion is quite similar to a D&E. However, in this case, you may need to plan for an overnight stay in the hospital. You will have an ultrasound exam conducted as well as blood tests taken and your doctor may also use osmotic dilators to prepare your uterus for the procedure. During this time you may need specialized attention because painful contractions can last several hours or even a day or so.

After Abortion Care

Bleeding after an abortion is common and many women will experience heavy to light spotting. Passing blood clots during the recovery period is also considered normal. However, consistent heavy bleeding or bleeding heavily for 12 hours or more may be a sign that all is not well and it is advised that you seek medical attention.

After undergoing an abortion, it is advised that you wait for about two weeks before having sexual intercourse.  You are also advised not to douche, use tampons or insert anything vaginally. This greatly reduces your chances of developing an infection.

After Abortion Care Tips

After an abortion, you will receive aftercare instructions from our clinic. To reduce side effects and improve comfort you should:

  • Have a support system consisting of family or close friends as you may experience some emotional changes.
  • Use heating pads to ease cramping.
  • Take prescribed medication to reduce cramps and pain.
  • Take a lot of fluids if you are experiencing diarrhea or vomiting.

At whatever stage of pregnancy you are in, at My Choice Medical Clinic we are dedicated to providing you with a safe, comfortable and confidential environment where you can safely terminate your pregnancy. Call us today on 866-397-3070 to book your appointment.