Abortion is a medical procedure and, before making any decisions, should be discussed with a medical professional. You deserve the education that empowered you to make an educated choice for your unplanned pregnancy.
What is an Abortion?
An abortion is a medical procedure that terminates a pregnancy. Medication abortion (sometimes called chemical abortion) involves taking a series of two medications to terminate and then expel the pregnancy. Surgical abortions are in-clinic procedures and can involve general or local anesthetic.
What is a medical abortion?
Medical abortion, also known as a chemical abortion, is a 2–step procedure. This is used to end a pregnancy. It is usually performed during the first trimester of pregnancy. The medication is only approved for use up until 70 days after the last menstrual period.
Having a medical abortion is an essential decision with emotional and psychological consequences. If you’re considering this procedure, understand it and what it entails. There are side effects, possible risks, complications, and alternatives.
A doctor or other licensed health care provider must prescribe the medical abortion pills, and they may carry out additional steps, such as blood work or an ultrasound, before prescribing it. The abortion pill is not available over the counter. Most abortions performed at week eight or earlier in the United States are medical abortions.
How does the abortion pill work?
The abortion pill protocol uses two different drugs in the following order:
Mifepristone is the first medication. Mifepristone stops the pregnancy from growing. It blocks the body from producing the progesterone hormone necessary for a pregnancy to continue. Without progesterone, the pregnancy will end.
Misoprostol is the second medication. Misoprostol is taken 1–2 days later, induces cramping and bleeding to cause the uterus to empty.
Risk groups for medication abortion
There are some situations when a medical abortion may not be an option:
- You have an ectopic pregnancy ( a pregnancy outside the uterus).
- You have an intrauterine device (IUD).
- You have a condition that requires long-term steroid therapy.
- You have chronic adrenal failure.
- You use blood thinners.
- You have an allergy to mifepristone or misoprostol.
- You have anemia.
- Talk with your OB-GYN about your risk factors to determine the safest and most effective care for you.
Medical Abortion: What you need to know
Medication abortion involves taking two drugs by mouth. The first blocks the action of progesterone, a hormone necessary for pregnancy. The second drug is taken 24-48 hours later, causing the uterus to contract. The FDA has not approved medication abortion for use after 70 days, or 10 weeks from your last period. An ultrasound will determine how far along you are in pregnancy and assess your health risks.
What do I need to do before I decide to get an abortion?
Knowledge of the law and your rights
If you are thinking about abortion, you have the right to know the law and have all your questions answered. The “Women’s Right to Know Act,” which indicates that an abortion can only be performed in Georgia if the patient has provided “Voluntary and Informed Consent” at least 24 hours before an abortion, requires availability of materials that may answer many of your questions related to:
- Description of abortion procedures and risks
- Medical risks of pregnancy and childbirth
- Agencies and services that can assist you during pregnancy
- Adoption agencies
- Description of fetal development
- Statement about fetal pain
Download the booklet, developed by the Department of Public Health.
A Positive Pregnancy Test
Before you start thinking about your next step, start by ensuring that you are actually pregnant. At PAC, we offer free medical grade pregnancy testing to women facing unplanned pregnancies. Our testing is lab-quality and performed by medical professionals who can go over the results with you right away.
If you suspect you may be pregnant but have not yet missed your period, PAC’s Early Pregnancy Test may be an appropriate option for you. This test can be provided between 22 and 28 days from your last menstrual cycle. The Early Pregnancy Test is highly-sensitive to the detection of hCG. While the test does show a high degree of accuracy, it does not provide medical verification of pregnancy. It is helpful for women in need of preliminary information about the potential for pregnancy. Medical verification can be provided following your missed cycle.
Get an Ultrasound
An ultrasound is the second step in confirming your pregnancy, but also provides you with information that determine the options available to you. An ultrasound determines how far along the pregnancy is, if the pregnancy is viable, and if there is a detectable heartbeat.
Speak with a Medical Professional
Abortion is a medical procedure. You should meet with a professional to be educated about the facts and risks of abortion. You are entitled to accurate and updated information, and our medical staff is here to educate you. We are committed to ensuring you have the information you need to make the most informed decision you can.
What Are My Next Steps?
If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy, we are here for you. At PAC, it is our mission to serve and support you. If you are interested in learning more about your options, make an appointment today to speak with our staff.
PAC SPECIALIZES in providing you with all the information you need to make an informed decision about your pregnancy, including the items required by Georgia law. The more information you have, the easier it is to make the right choice for you.
Our medical staff are trained to answer all your questions in a caring, non-judgmental setting. We are HIPAA compliant – which means that anything you and our staff discuss is COMPLETELY CONFIDENTIAL. We are bound by law to provide you with privacy and protection.
PAC provides services such as pregnancy tests, ultrasounds (as determined by medical staff), STI testing and treatment and more at no cost to you.
This makes us a great first stop for you if you are concerned you are pregnant.
Don’t navigate this confusing time alone. Call 404.763.4357 or make an appointment request.
PAC does not perform or refer for abortions.
Georgia Law
In Georgia, the Living Infants Fairness and Equality (LIFE) Act prohibits abortion with some exceptions past the time the unborn child has a detectable human heartbeat, generally about 6 weeks gestational age. After the time a heartbeat is detected, abortion is limited to circumstances involving medical emergency, a pregnancy that is defined as medically futile, or in the case of rape or incest in which a police report has been filed.