Pre-Abortion (What to expect before a Surgical Abortion)
Informed Written Consent. According to Virginia law, the medical personnel providing the abortion will need to get a pregnant woman’s informed written consent that she wants to have an abortion. Informed consent means that the medical provider talks with the patient about the risks and alternatives to abortion before obtaining her consent.
Option of a limited ultrasound. A limited ultrasound is recommended if a patient is unsure how far along she is in the pregnancy, or if ectopic pregnancy is suspected. A recent study demonstrated that some women want to have the option to see their unborn baby before making a final decision about their pregnancy.
Prep. If the abortion procedure is occurring later in the pregnancy, sometimes preparation is required a day or two beforehand, possibly including the dilation and ripening of the cervix using laminaria. Laminaria is a type of seaweed that helps the cervix to soften and begin to open, which can sometimes cause spotting and cramping.
During the surgical abortion
Varying levels of pain control may be available according to the type of abortion procedure being performed.
In early pregnancy, surgical abortion procedure involves numbing and dilating the cervix. Then a plastic tube is placed through the cervix into the uterus, suctioning out the baby and remaining pregnancy tissue.
Abortions in the second trimester are usually performed via a procedure called a dilation and evacuation (D & E). This type of abortion involves a combination of surgical instruments and suction to remove the baby from the uterus. Sometimes an abortion takes place using drugs to stop the fetal heartbeat and then to induce labor so that a woman delivers a non-living baby or “dead fetus”.
Abortion after the end of the second trimester is allowed in Virginia when three physicians agree that a woman’s life or well-being is imminently endangered by continuing with the pregnancy.
What if I change my mind about having an abortion?
In some instances, a patient may decide that they do not want to follow through with the medication abortion and instead desire to prevent the pregnancy from ending. Sometimes termination of the pregnancy can be avoided if a patient takes a prescribed dose of progesterone within 72 hours (about 3 days) of taking mifepristone, the first drug in the abortion pill regimen. More information on abortion pill reversal is available here.
Post- Abortion (What to expect after a Surgical Abortion)
Some women can experience cramping for up to 2 weeks and vaginal bleeding for up to 4 weeks after an abortion procedure. Possible side effects from a surgical abortion can include GI symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
A patient might also experience breast tenderness, chills and fatigue. Symptoms that require immediate medical attention would be: a fever of 100.4 or greater, heavy bleeding (saturating at least two menstrual pads per hour for 2 hours), severe abdominal pain or cramping that does not get better with time, or a foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
One study estimates that about 2 out of every 100 patients who have an abortion will experience complications from the procedure, such as excessive bleeding, infection, or injuries to organs.
For some women, undergoing an abortion can have an adverse impact on mental and emotional health. A recent study demonstrated that nearly two thirds of women associated their abortion with negative emotions, for example guilt and grief, as well as a general decline in mental health. Many women also reported high levels of stress surrounding their decision to abort.
Post Abortion Stress Syndrome is a term that describes a cluster of symptoms similar to PTSD which some women may experience after an abortion. These symptoms can include flashbacks, guilt, anxiety, depression, emotional numbness, depression, and suicidal ideation.
If you are experiencing any of these emotional side-effects from an abortion, it is important to find support and help. Click here to learn more about abortion recovery. If you are considering having an abortion and want to talk to someone about all your options, give us a call or schedule a free appointment by clicking the button below.
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