Abortion

Are you considering abortion?

Often, abortion is the first thing that comes to a woman’s mind when she’s suddenly faced with an unexpected pregnancy. Whether you’re single and still in school, or already a mother of three, abortion feels like the only option to move on with your life.

The abortion clinics have told you every procedure is quick, easy, and painless. You can “get back to normal” almost immediately. That may be true for some women, but for others, they recognize their lives have been changed forever by the decision they made. This is why we offer a pre-abortion assessment.

Your best decision

Knowledge is power and we want you to be able to decode your pregnancy outcome from a place of empowerment. What do you know about abortion procedures, side effects, and potential risks? The clinics are quick to tell you how “easy” it is, but you rarely hear about the side effects you can expect and potential risks. We want you to be fully informed before you make your final decision.

What are the different types of abortion procedures?

Medical abortion

You may have heard about the abortion pill. It’s a form of medical abortion. You only qualify for this method if your pregnancy is under 10 weeks. If you’ve been pregnant for longer than 10 weeks, you’ll need to have a surgical abortion. An ultrasound will give you this important information.

Interestingly, the procedure is called the abortion pill, but it isn’t one pill and you’re done. In fact, the abortion pill method uses two powerful drugs over the course of 24 to 48 hours. When a woman gets pregnant, her body begins producing several different hormones. One of those is progesterone. This hormone helps the fertilized egg be implanted in the uterus to establish and help maintain a healthy pregnancy. Mifepristone (the first drug taken), breaks down the uterine lining so that the embryo cannot stay implanted.

Side Effects and possible risks you may experience

Surgical Abortion

The type of surgical abortion you have is determined by how far along you are in your pregnancy. Our ultrasound can help you determine whether you qualify for an early medical abortion or will need to undergo surgery. There are various surgical procedures based on how far along you are. 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/Suction – Up to 14 weeks after the Last Menstrual Period (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 a suction device that pulls the embryo out.

Dilation and Evacuation (D&E) – At 15 weeks and up, most second-trimester abortions are performed using the D & E 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.

Dilation and Extraction (D & X) – At 24 weeks 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 remove the fetus.

The typical cost of abortion near St. Louis, MO:

• Medication Abortion / Abortion Pill (within 10 weeks gestation): $700
• Suction Aspiration / Vacuum Abortion (6-12 weeks gestation): $700-$1400
• Dilation and Curettage (13-16 weeks gestation): $850-$1600
• Dilation and Evacuation (17-21 weeks gestation): $1500-$2100

We’re always here for you

Don’t hesitate to call or text. We’d love to hear from you!

Pregnancy Help Center of South County does not perform or refer for abortion.