Schedule Now
Schedule Now

Abortion Types

Abortion Types and Procedures

There are two main types of abortion in the United States:

Medical Abortions

Medical abortions use drugs or chemicals, instead of surgical instruments, to end a pregnancy. Early Medical Abortion – Up to 10 weeks from the last menstrual period (LMP) “The Abortion Pill” (mifepristone plus misoprostol) is the most common form of medical abortion. It was approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for use in women up to 10 weeks after LMP.1 It is even used beyond 10 weeks LMP, despite an increasing failure rate.2,3,4 It is done by taking a series of pills that disrupt the embryo’s attachment to the uterus, and cause uterine cramps which push the embryo out.5 Things to consider:6

  • Bleeding can be heavy and lasts an average of 9-16 days.
  • One woman in 100 need a surgical scraping to stop the bleeding.
  • Pregnancies sometimes fail to abort, and this risk increases as pregnancy advances.
  • For pregnancies 8 weeks LMP and beyond, identifiable parts may be seen.7
  • By 10 weeks LMP, the developing baby is over one inch in length with clearly recognizable arms, legs, hands, and feet.8

Did you know that you may be able to reverse a medical abortion that has already begun? Click here to find out more.

Surgical Abortions

Surgical abortions are done by opening the cervix and passing instruments into the uterus to suction, grasp, pull, and scrape the pregnancy out. The exact procedure is determined by the baby’s level of growth.

Aspiration/Suction9 – Up to 13 weeks LMP. Most early surgical abortions are performed using this method. Local anesthesia is typically offered to reduce pain. The abortion involves opening the cervix, passing a tube inside the uterus, and attaching it to suction device which pulls the embryo out.

Dilation and Evacuation9,10(D&E) – 13 weeks LMP and up. Most second trimester abortions are performed using this method. Local anesthesia, oral, or intravenous pain medications and sedation are commonly used. Besides the need to open the cervix much wider, the main difference between this procedure and a first trimester abortion is the use of forceps to grasp fetal parts and remove the baby in pieces. D&E is associated with a much higher risk of complications compared to a first trimester surgical abortion.

D&E After Viability9,10– 24 weeks LMP and up. This procedure typically takes 2–3 days and is associated with increased risk to the life and health of the mother. General anesthesia is usually recommended, if available. Drugs may be injected into the fetus or the amniotic fluid to stop the baby’s heart before starting the procedure. The cervix is opened wide, the amniotic sac is broken, and forceps are used to dismember the fetus. The “Intact D&E” pulls the fetus out legs first, then crushes the skull in order to remove the fetus in one piece.

Resources

1U.S. Food & Drug Administration. (2016, March 30). Mifeprex (mifepristone) Information. Retrieved April 8, 2016, from http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/ucm111323.htm.

2Raymond, E. G., Shannon, C., Weaver, M. A., & Winikoff, B. (2013). First-trimester medical abortion with mifepristone 200 mg and misoprostol: a systematic review.Contraception, 26-37. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.contraception.2012.06.011.

3Chen, Q. (2011). Mifepristone in combination with prostaglandins for termination of 10–16 weeks’ gestation: a systematic review. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 159, 247–254.85.

4Chen, M. J., & Creinin, M. D. (2015). Mifepristone With Buccal Misoprostol for Medical Abortion. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 126(1), 12-21. doi:10.1097/aog.0000000000000897

5U.S. Food & Drug Administration. (2016, March 30). Mifeprex (mifepristone) Information. Retrieved April 8, 2016, from http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/ucm111323.htm.

6U.S. Food & Drug Administration. (2016, March). Mifeprex label information. Retrieved from http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2016/020687s020lbl.pdf.

7The Endowment for Human Development. (2006). The Rapidly Growing Brain. Retrieved from http://www.ehd.org/movies.php?mov_id=28.

8The Endowment for Human Development. (2006). Right- and Left-Handedness. Retrieved from http://www.ehd.org/movies.php?mov_id=44.

9Creinin, M. , Danielsson, KG.(2009). Medical Abortion in Early Pregnancy. In Management of unintended and abnormal pregnancy: Comprehensive abortion care (pp.114, 120-29). Chichester, UK: Wiley-Blackwell.

10Kapp, N., von Hertzen, H. (2009). Medical Methods to Induce Abortion in the Second Trimester. In Management of unintended and abnormal pregnancy: Comprehensive abortion care (pp. 178-88). Chichester, UK: Wiley-Blackwell.

Appointment
Schedule Now

Center Location

  • 501 Frontage Road
  • Kenai, AK 99611

Contact

Hours

  • Mon - Thurs: 11am - 4pm
  • Fri - Sun: CLOSED
  • (Limited after-hours by
    call-in appt only)

Make an Appointment

If you are sexually active and are concerned that you may be pregnant, make an appointment for a pregnancy test at ABC Life Choices. We will answer your questions and provide you with factual information in order for you to make an informed decision. If you are pregnant, you may qualify for a limited ultrasound at no cost to you. All of our services are free and confidential.

Schedule Now

You’re more than the results of a test. We promise:  no pressure, no judgment, just confidential care.

An unplanned pregnancy doesn’t have to cost you your hope or future.

Book Now

You’re more than the results of a test. We promise:  no pressure, no judgment, just confidential care.

An unplanned pregnancy doesn’t have to cost you your hope or future.

Book Now

Frequently Asked Questions

A: Walk-ins are welcome. However, it is best to make an appointment to minimize your office wait time. Please call (907) 283-9062 or schedule an appointment online. After hours, call or text 1-800-712-4357.

A: Absolutely. You can bring your boyfriend, family member, or friend. We will talk with you privately first. Then, provided you have given us consent to have them in the room, your guest will be able to join you.

A: You’ll be welcomed by our receptionist who will introduce you to your client advocate.  She will listen to you judgment-free and provide you with information followed by a pregnancy test.  Should your test be positive, one of our caring medical professionals will conduct a limited ultrasound to confirm if you have a viable pregnancy and date fetal age. 

A: Our tests can be performed 7 to 10 days after conception. A client with a negative result may be invited to return within 2 weeks for a repeat test if she has not had her period.  

If you have taken a home pregnancy test, it is best to confirm results with a laboratory-quality test at our center.

A:  We adhere to a strict privacy and confidentiality policy. Clients will be protected from disclosure of information that violates the right to privacy except when required by law, required for public health reasons, required to avert a threat of harm to the client or a third person, or when other circumstances may reasonably warrant such use or disclosure without prior authorization (e.g., abuse reporting, suicide/homicide prevention, etc.).

A: Our professional, medical-grade lab quality pregnancy test can determine pregnancy at the first day after your first missed period. We recommend you make an appointment if you have missed a period, have any pregnancy related questions, or think you might be pregnant.

A: On-site ultrasounds are available after an initial intake with one of our client advocates.  Our limited ultrasound exams are performed by a licensed nurse sonographer or RDMS (registered sonographer) and reviewed by a licensed physician.  An ultrasound confirms a viable pregnancy and determines how far along you are.  To qualify for a limited ultrasound, you’ll need to be a minimum of 6 weeks since your last menstrual period.

A: You can still meet with a member of our staff to discuss your concerns and review available options.  An ultrasound is recommended to know if your pregnancy is viable and in your uterus, since 20% – 25% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage.  Additionally, the ultrasound will show how far along you are to determine what type of abortion you would choose.  We can provide a limited ultrasound at no cost to you.

What Others Are Saying About ABC Life Choices

“I felt very comfortable being here and not judged in any way..”

“Kind, straight forward, and I understood what I was being told.”

“Very sweet people who work here and understanding.”

Book Now

Copyright © 2023 ABC Life Choices. All Rights Reserved. | Powered by Ad America