If you think you are pregnant and considering an abortion, it is crucial that you are informed about the differences in types of procedures, as well as the risks associated with each. Hope’s Pathway Chatham will present that information accurately in an honest, caring manner, and will be available to answer any questions you may have.
What to Know Before an Abortion
If you think you are pregnant, verifying your pregnancy first is essential. Schedule a free and confidential appointment with Hope’s Pathway Chatham. We offer free self-administered pregnancy testing and can get you the answers to these important questions:
- Am I actually pregnant?
- How far along am I?
- What do I need to know about abortion procedures?
- What are the risks?
- What if I’ve had an abortion before?
- What are the current abortion laws in NC?
- Do I have any rights with abortion providers in NC?
Hope’s Pathway Chatham does not provide prenatal care, emergency contraceptives, or refer or perform abortions.
Why is an Ultrasound Necessary?
Even if you’ve had a positive pregnancy test, it’s important to confirm the result. An ultrasound is a simple and pain-free imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce an image of the inside of your uterus.
An ultrasound is necessary to verify a number of important details about your pregnancy:
- Is your pregnancy viable (alive)? 10%-20% of pregnancies are not viable and will end in natural miscarriage.
- Where is your pregnancy located? An ectopic pregnancy (located outside the uterus) requires immediate medical attention, not an abortion.
- What is the gestational age? How far along you are in your pregnancy will have an impact on your pregnancy options.
We can provide you with a referral to receive a free limited ultrasound for this important confirmation before you make any decisions.
Abortion Procedures
An abortion is a medical procedure performed with the intent to terminate a pregnancy. There are two primary methods: an in-clinic procedure known as the surgical procedure, and the medical procedure (commonly referred to as the abortion pill). The method used varies from patient to patient and is determined based on how far along an individual is in her pregnancy, which is typically determined by having an ultrasound performed.
Medical/Chemical Abortion
Medication abortion, also called the abortion pill, is FDA-approved up through 10 weeks after a woman’s last menstrual period (LMP). It uses two drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol, over a 24 to 48-hour period to terminate a pregnancy.
It is important to note that the abortion pill is not an option for women with certain medical conditions, if the pregnancy is not viable, or if the pregnancy occurs outside of the uterus. Therefore, it important to rule out an ectopic pregnancy or a natural miscarriage and find out how far along you are via ultrasound. Many telehealth providers do not provide an ultrasound before administering abortion pills.
We can provide you with vital information about your pregnancy and whether the abortion pill is an option. Contact us for more information about this procedure, obtaining a free ultrasound, and to understand all your options.
Can the abortion pill be reversed? The simple answer is yes! If done in time. There is an effective process called abortion pill reversal that can reverse the effects of the a medical abortion. This may allow you to continue your pregnancy, but time is of the essence.
Surgical Abortion
There are several types of surgical abortions. Suction aspiration, also called suction curettage or vacuum aspiration abortion, is performed up to 13 weeks after a woman’s last menstrual period (LMP). It is the most common early surgical abortion method and it is an outpatient procedure. However, if complications arise, you may need to go to the emergency room to receive treatment.
Dilation and Evacuation (D&E) is another type of procedure typically performed 13 weeks or more after a woman’s last menstrual period (LMP). It is the most common second-trimester surgical abortion method. Local anesthesia or sedation is commonly utilized. If you think you may be in your second trimester and are looking for options, contact us for a no-cost consultation. While we do not refer for or provide pregnancy termination services, we can give you the answers you need to make an informed choice.
Side Effects & Risks
Before undergoing an abortion procedure, you shouldn’t have any undiagnosed STD/STIs that would increase your chance of developing Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). This disease can lead to serious complications, including infertility, ectopic pregnancy, abscess formation, and chronic pelvic pain. Having more than one abortion also increases your risk for complications.
Additionally, according to the Mayo Clinic, the side effects can include:
Medical Abortion
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Nausea with or without vomiting
- Fever and chills
- Diarrhea
- Infection
Surgical Abortion
- Cramping
- Perforation of the uterus
- Bleeding
- Damage to the cervix
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall
- Infection
Potential risks posed by abortion include:
- Uterine Perforation. Uterine perforation occurs when one of the instruments used in surgical abortion accidentally pokes a hole in the uterus.
- Incomplete Abortion. An abortion may not successfully remove all of the fetal tissue. This can occur with both the medical and the surgical procedures. Emergency medical treatment may be required to prevent infection.
- Asherman Syndrome. Asherman Syndrome is a condition in which scar tissue forms inside the uterus. This can occur as a result of multiple surgical abortions, making it difficult to become pregnant in the future.
- Negative Impact on Future Pregnancies. Studies have shown a link between surgical abortion and an increased risk of premature birth and low birth weight in future pregnancies.
- Allergic Reaction. Although rare, it is possible to go into anaphylactic shock after taking misoprostol if you’re allergic to any ingredients in the medication.
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). Bacteria can enter the reproductive tract during any abortion, causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
Struggling after abortion?
Abortion has potential physical complications, which can be significant if they happen to you. It is also associated with an increased risk of negative emotions and spiritual complications such as depression, anxiety, and relationship difficulties. Women are not the only ones who may be suffering after abortion, men can suffer too.
If you had an abortion, you can talk with us. It is typical to feel relief immediately after the procedure. It is also typical for that relief to give way to regret, guilt, grief, depression, and anxiety. The experience can even interfere with regular daily life and require professional/medical attention.
Many women and men feel they cannot share their abortion experience with friends or family. At Hope’s Pathway Chatham, we can offer help and healing in a warm, personal, confidential setting. Please contact us today to make an appointment to talk about your post-abortion feelings and concerns.
SOURCES
- Abortion Pill Reversal (n.d.) https://abortionpillreversal.com
- American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (n.d.) AAPLOG statement of the necessity of informed consent before elective procedures on the pregnant woman. https://aaplog.org/aaplog-statement-on-the-necessity-for-informed-consent-before-elective-procedures-on-the-pregnant-woman/
- American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (n.d.) AAPLOG statement of the necessity of ultrasound before elective procedures on the pregnant woman. https://aaplog.org/aaplog-statement-on-the-necessity-for-ultrasound-before-elective-procedures-on-the-pregnant-woman/
- American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2020, February). Medication Abortion. AAPLOG Practice Guideline. https://aaplog.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/PG-8-Medication-Abortion.pdf
- American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2020, February). The reversal of the effects of mifepristone by progesterone. AAPLOG Practice Guideline. https://aaplog.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/PG-6-Reversal-of-the-Effects-of-Mifepristone-by-Progesterone.pdf
- American Pregnancy Association. (2025, February 10). Pregnancy Symptoms. https://americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/am-i-pregnant/pregnancy-symptoms/
- Cleveland Clinic. (2022, September 28). Ultrasound in pregnancy. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/9704-ultrasound-in-pregnancy
- Healthwise Staff. (2024, April 30). Dilation and evacuation (D&E). C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital: University of Michigan Health. https://www.mottchildren.org/health-library/tw2462
- Healthwise Staff. (2024, April 30). Vacuum aspiration. University of Michigan Health. https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/tw1078
- Mayo Clinic. (2023, November 7). Dilation and curetage (D&C). https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/dilation-and-curettage/about/pac-20384910#std120864-sec
- Mayo Clinic. (2022, March 12). Ectopic pregnancy. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/symptoms-causes/syc-20372088
- Mayo Clinic. (2024, June 28). Medical abortion. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/medical-abortion/about/pac-20394687
- Mayo Clinic. (2024, March 13). Symptoms of pregnancy: what happens first. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/symptoms-of-pregnancy/art-20043853
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2025, January 17) Questions and answers on mifepristone for medical termination of pregnancy through ten weeks gestation. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/information-about-mifepristone-medical-termination-pregnancy-through-ten-weeks-gestation