In order to make informed choices, you have a right to complete information on what those choices are. Abortion is a serious choice. Take the time to get the facts before you choose. Muskegon Pregnancy Services Inc. is prepared to give you complete information on abortion including surgical or medical risks, potential physical, emotional, and relational consequences, other possible pregnancy options, and support available to you.
Abortion Q & A
Q. What are the health risks of having an abortion?
A. Risks of any surgical abortion include hemorrhage, infection, and possible infertility in future pregnancies. There may be other risks for you, including emotional complications. You should understand your risks before proceeding with any type of surgical procedure. At Muskegon Pregnancy Services you will be empowered to make the best choice for your life through free, compassionate, and confidential consultation with a trained personal advocate.
Q. Will my life be the same after an abortion?
A. If you are pregnant, your life has changed already. Whether you choose abortion, parenting or placing for adoption, your life will be different in 9 months than it is today. It's important to make the best choice regarding pregnancy. Come in for a free pregnancy consultation and explore your options.
Q. How are abortions done?
A. The following are descriptions of the various types of surgical and chemical abortions procedures performed in the U.S.
RU486, Mifepristone (Abortion pill) - used within 4 to 7 weeks after the last menstrual period. - This chemical abortion procedure usually requires 3 office visits. The RU 486 pills are given to the woman to take after which she returns 2 days later for a second medication called misprostol. The first pills cause the death of the fetus, the second medication causes the uterus to contract and expel the dead baby. Bleeding and cramping are normal. Side effects may include nausea, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, and back pain. One out of 100 women require surgical intervention to stop bleeding. RU 486 has recently been linked to the deaths of 7 women in the U.S. due to infection.
Manual Vacuum Aspiration - used within 7 weeks after last menstrual period. - The cervical muscle is stretched with metal rods (dilators) until the opening into the uterus is wide enough for the abortion instruments to pass through. A hand held syringe is attached to tubing that is inserted into the uterus and the fetus and placenta are suctioned out. Side effects include bleeding, infection, emotional stress.
Suction Curretage - used within 6 to 14 weeks after LMP - this is the most common abortion procedure. The abortionist opens the cervix with dilators and laminaria (thin sticks derived from plants and inserted hours before the procedure to soften the cervix). The abortionist inserts tubing connected to a suction machine. The suction pulls the fetus' body apart and out of the uterus. One variation of the procedure is called Dilation and Curretage. In this method, the abortionist may use a curette, a loop-shaped knife, to scrape the fetal parts out of the uterus. Side effects include hemorrahage, infection, perforation of the uterine wall, cervical tears, effects on later pregnancies, emotional stress.
Dilation and Evacuation (D & E) - used within 13 to 24 weeks after LMP. - Because the developing baby doubles in size between the 11th and the 12th weeks of pregnancy, the body of the fetus is too large to be broken up by suction and will not pass through the suction tubing. In this procedure, the cervix must be opened wider than in a first trimester abortion. After opening the cervix, the abortionist pulls out the fetal parts with forceps. The fetus' skull is crushed to ease removal. Side effects include hemorrahage, infection, cervical tears, perforation of the uterus, effects on later pregnancies, incomplete removal of fetus, and emotional stress.
Dilation and Extraction (D & X) - used from 20 weeks after LMP to full-term.- This procedure takes 3 days. During the first 2 days, the cervix is dilated and medication is given for cramping. On the 3rd day the woman is given medication to start labor. After labor begins, the abortionist uses ultrasound to locate the baby's legs. Grasping a leg with forceps, the abortionist delivers the baby up to the head. Next, scissors are inserted into the base of the baby's skull to create an oepning. A suction catheter is placed into this opening to suction the skull contents. The skull collapses and the baby is removed. Side effects may include hemorrahage, infection, effects on later pregnancies, and severe emotional stress.
(American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists Practice Bulletin #26, Medical Management of Abortion, Apr. 2001), (American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Induce Abortion, 2001), (Warren Hern, Abortion Practice, 1990 Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott C.), (Martin Haskell, M.D., Second Trimester Abortion: From Every Angle, paper presented at the Fall Risk Management Seminar of the National Abortion Federation, Sept. 13-14, Dallas, Tx.)
Abortion and Breast Cancer Link
Medical experts are still researching and debating the linkage between abortion and breast cancer. Here are some important facts:
- Carrying a pregnancy to full term gives protection against breast cancer that cannot be gained if abortion is chosen.
- Abortion causes a sudden drop in estrogen levels that may make breast cells more prone to cancer.
- Most studies conducted so far show a significant linkage between abortion and breast cancer. (Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 50:481-496, 1996)
- A 1994 study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found: "Among women who had been pregnant at least once, the risk of breast cancer in those who had experienced an induced abortion was 50% higher than for other women." (Journal of the NCI, Volume 86, #21)
Effect on Future Pregnancy
Scarring or other injury during an abortion may prevent or place at risk future wanted pregnancies. The risk of miscarriage is greater for women who abort their first pregnancy.
Emotional Impact
Some women experience strong negative emotions after abortion. Sometimes this occurs within days and sometimes it happens after many years. This psychological response is known as Post-Abortion Stress (PAS). Several factors that impact the likelihood of PAS include: the woman's age, the circumstances surrounding the abortion, the age of the fetus when abortion occurs, and the woman's religious beliefs. Symptoms include: Guilt, anger, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, anniversary or expected date of delivery grief, flashbacks, sexual dysfuction, relationship problems, eating disorders, alcohol and drug abuse, psychological reactions. (Archives of General Psychiatry, 57 (8) 777-784)