Abortion

Considering abortion?

Abortion is a serious medical procedure with side effects and risks. If you are considering abortion for your unexpected pregnancy, find out about the procedures first.

What do I need to know about abortion in Texas?

We are here to help you sort through your questions and concerns because your health and safety are important to us. Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, many changes have taken place regarding abortion in Texas.

• A ban on all abortions in Texas went into effect on August 25, 2022.
• Texas law forbids insurers from covering abortion as part of your overall health insurance plan unless you need an abortion to save you from death or serious physical injury.
• Abortion is currently banned in Texas under Chapter 170A of the Texas Health & Safety Code. However, a woman who seeks an abortion illegally will not be held criminally or civilly liable. There are exceptions to this ban if the woman’s life is in danger, but the licensed physician performing the abortion must make every attempt to save the fetus’s life. HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE CHAPTER 170A. PERFORMANCE OF ABORTION (texas.gov).

What Do I Need To Know About Abortion In General?

We believe you deserve to know the facts about abortion procedures, side effects, and potential risks.

There are two types of abortion: medical and surgical. The abortion method you have is determined by how far along you are in your pregnancy.

Medical Abortion

The abortion pill is a medical or medication abortion method. It uses two drugs to terminate a pregnancy.

Mifepristone is the first drug. This drug blocks the uterus from absorbing a hormone called progesterone. Without progesterone, a pregnancy can’t survive.

The second drug, misoprostol, causes bleeding and contractions to expel the pregnancy through the vagina.

According to the FDA, you only qualify for the abortion pill method if you have been pregnant for 70 days or less from the first day of your last period.

Risks of Medical Abortion

• Incomplete abortion
• Heavy and prolonged bleeding
• Fever
• Infection
• Digestive system discomfort
• Potential emotional complications

The Mayo Clinic states, “Having a medical abortion is a major decision with emotional and psychological consequences.”

Surgical Abortion

There are several surgical abortion methods based on your pregnancy’s gestational age (how far along you are). For early pregnancies, an abortion provider uses Vacuum Aspiration, which suctions out the pregnancy.

For later pregnancies, the abortion provider might use dilation and evacuation (D & E). With the D & E method, a vacuum device, a scraping tool, and sometimes forceps are used to remove the pregnancy from the uterus.

Risks of Surgical Abortion

• Damage to the cervix
• Perforation of the uterus
• Infection
• Scarring on the inside of the uterus
• Potential emotional complications

We Can Help You

Do you have more questions about procedures, side effects, and risks? We can give you more detailed information about abortion and your other alternatives.

Set up an appointment or give us a call. We are here for you.

 

Dilation and curettage (D&C) – Mayo Clinic and Abortion Care | ACOG

HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE CHAPTER 170A. PERFORMANCE OF ABORTION (texas.gov).