If you’re considering abortion, you’re not alone! The compassionate team at The Northwest Center is here to help you navigate this stressful time!

Confirm Your Pregnancy

The first step is to confirm your pregnancy. The Northwest Center provides free medical-grade pregnancy tests to determine how far along you are in your pregnancy and whether or not the pregnancy is developing properly inside the uterus.

Having this information will empower you to make an educated choice.

Be Informed

Next, be informed about the different types of abortion and their associated risks.

What is Surgical Abortion and How Does it Work?

In a surgical abortion, a suction device is used to remove the embryo from the uterus through the vagina. This procedure is performed at an abortion clinic and you are sent home the same day. However, if complications arise, you may need to go to the emergency room to receive treatment. 

What is the Abortion Pill?

Although it’s referred to as a pill (singular), the abortion pill actually consists of two medications: mifepristone and misoprostol.

What are the Risks of Abortion?

  • Uterine Perforation. Uterine perforation occurs when one of the instruments used in surgical abortion accidentally pokes a hole in the uterus[1]
  • Incomplete Abortion. An abortion may not successfully remove all of the fetal tissue. This can occur in a surgical abortion or with the abortion pill. Emergency medical treatment may be required to prevent infection[1].
  • 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[2].
  • 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[2].
  • 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[3].
  • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). Bacteria can enter the reproductive tract during any abortion, causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)[4].

Get the unbiased medical information needed to make a fully informed decision for your unplanned pregnancy at The Northwest Center! We’re happy to answer all of your questions!

Get Tested for STIs

Finally, get tested for STIs! Even if you don’t have any symptoms, an abortion could cause the infection to spread to your uterus. The Northwest Center provides free STI referrals so you can protect your health!

All of the Facts. None of the Judgment.

Our compassionate team is ready to serve you. Get the facts you need and the care you deserve at The Northwest Center! Give us a call at 202-483-7008 or schedule your appointment online today!

Please be aware that The Northwest Center does not provide or refer for abortion services.

Sources

  1. U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2020, December 2). Abortion – Surgical. MedlinePlus. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002912.htm 
  2. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022, August 3). Elective Abortion: Does it Affect Subsequent Pregnancies? Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/expert-answers/abortion/faq-20058551 
  3. Shin, Hyun Joo, et al. “Anaphylactic Shock to Vaginal Misoprostol: A Rare Adverse Reaction to a Frequently Used Drug.” PubMed Central (PMC), 9 Aug. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6137020
  4. “Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): Symptoms, Treatments and Causes.” Cleveland Clinic, 23 Nov. 2020, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9129-pelvic-inflammatory-disease-pid
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