The two types of abortion are medical and surgical. Often, the number of weeks and days you’ve been pregnant determines the available abortion procedures.

If you’re considering abortion, knowing exactly how long you’ve been pregnant is essential. Pennsylvania restricts abortion after 23 weeks and 6 days.

If you keep a calendar of your monthly cycle, you may already know when you got pregnant, but many women are surprised to learn that the date differs from what they expected.

Let’s take a closer look at the two types of abortion and how you can accurately date your pregnancy. For more information and free pregnancy confirmation services, contact NorthStar Women’s Center.

What Is a Medical Abortion?

A medical abortion is also known as the abortion pill method. You take drugs to end your pregnancy. The FDA approves the use of these drugs only through 10 weeks of pregnancy.

The abortion provider usually prescribes two drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol. Mifepristone, the first drug taken, is strictly regulated by the FDA. Only certified providers can prescribe it. 

Mifepristone blocks the pregnancy hormone progesterone. Without progesterone, the pregnancy cannot survive. The second drug, misoprostol, causes vaginal bleeding and contractions to expel the pregnancy and related tissue from the body.

What Is a Surgical Abortion?

There are three types of surgical abortion procedures. All are performed in a clinical or hospital setting. The first is called vacuum or suction aspiration. Abortion providers usually perform this procedure early in pregnancy. 

The second type of surgical abortion is known as dilation and curettage (D&C). This procedure involves dilating the cervix (the opening of the uterus) and removing the pregnancy tissue with suction and scraping. 

Dilation and evacuation (D&E) is the third form of surgical abortion. A D&E is usually performed in the second trimester (weeks 13-24). The cervix is dilated, and the provider removes the pregnancy with suction and surgical instruments, such as forceps.

Are There Complications With Both Types?

All abortions involve vaginal bleeding and cramping, but there can be more severe complications.

Both medical and surgical abortions can result in an incomplete abortion (also called retained products of conception). This means that the pregnancy was terminated, but not all of the tissue was removed from the uterus. An incomplete abortion can lead to infection and the possibility of an additional procedure.

There is also the risk of heavy and prolonged bleeding or, with a surgical procedure, injury to the cervix or uterus.

How Can I Determine the Gestational Age?

Gestational age means how far along you are in your pregnancy. It’s determined by the number of weeks and days you have been pregnant. 

To accurately determine your gestational age, you need an ultrasound. NorthStar provides a limited obstetrical ultrasound at no cost to you. Come to NorthStar first for no-cost, lab-quality pregnancy testing. If your pregnancy test is positive, we’ll provide an ultrasound. 

An ultrasound reveals:

• How far along you are in your pregnancy
• If the location of your pregnancy is safe
• Whether the pregnancy is developing or if you’ve miscarried

NorthStar Women’s Center Is Here For You

Choosing how to handle an unexpected pregnancy is a big decision, and you shouldn’t have to decide on your own. The team at NorthStar can get you the information you need and support you as you take your next step. 

All of our services and conversations are private and offered at no cost to you. Reach out to us either online or by calling 610-321-7277. How can we serve you today?

NorthStar Women’s Center does not perform or refer for abortion.

All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of  writing.