Considering Abortion?
If you are considering abortion, there is important information about your pregnancy you may not have yet.
How far along are you? Is the pregnancy located inside the uterus? Is the pregnancy continuing to develop?
The Cottage Women’s Care offers no-cost pregnancy testing and limited obstetric ultrasounds in Bartlesville to help you find out. While we do not provide or refer for abortions, we can provide accurate information about abortion procedures and potential risks so you know more about your pregnancy and what abortion could involve.
How Does Abortion Work?
There are two primary types of abortion: the abortion pill and surgical abortion. The procedures differ based on how far a pregnancy has progressed and other factors.
The Abortion Pill
The abortion pill typically uses two drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol.
Mifepristone blocks progesterone, a hormone the pregnancy needs to continue. Misoprostol is taken a day or two afterward and causes the uterus to contract and cramp, expelling the pregnancy and related tissue through vaginal bleeding.
The FDA-approved regimen is used through 10 weeks of gestation. Because pregnancy is dated from the first day of your last menstrual period rather than the day of conception, you may be farther along than you realize.
Cramping and bleeding are expected during the abortion pill process. Other possible side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, chills, headache, and dizziness.
Potential risks include heavy or prolonged bleeding, infection, an incomplete abortion, or an ongoing pregnancy. Additional medical treatment or a surgical procedure may be necessary if complications occur or the abortion is incomplete.
Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortions are performed in a clinic, surgical center, or hospital, depending on the procedure, gestational age, and other circumstances. Pain management may include anesthesia or sedation to reduce pain and discomfort.
During a surgical abortion, the cervix is opened, or dilated, and suction and surgical instruments are used to remove the pregnancy and related tissue from the uterus. Later procedures may require additional dilation and the use of specialized instruments.
Potential risks include heavy bleeding, infection, injury to the cervix or uterus, and complications related to anesthesia or sedation.
What Are the Abortion Laws in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma law currently prohibits most abortions. The Cottage Women’s Care can provide general information about abortion procedures and Oklahoma law, but does not provide abortions or referrals for abortion services.
What Can an Ultrasound Tell You?
Wherever you are in the decision-making process, there may still be important details about your pregnancy that you don’t know yet.
A positive pregnancy test is only one piece of information. Before considering abortion, an ultrasound can provide additional details about your pregnancy that may affect what happens next.
Your dates may be different than you think. Gestational age affects which abortion procedures are performed.
The pregnancy may not be located in the uterus. An ectopic pregnancy develops outside the uterus and requires medical attention. The abortion pill does not treat an ectopic pregnancy.
The pregnancy may not be continuing. Miscarriage can occur naturally, particularly early in pregnancy. An ultrasound can look for signs that the pregnancy is progressing or that a possible miscarriage has occurred.
That is why getting an ultrasound before taking your next step matters. The Cottage Women’s Care provides ultrasounds at no cost to eligible clients.
Start With What You Know
You may not have every answer right now, but you can begin with the facts about your pregnancy.
Come in for no-cost pregnancy testing, learn whether you qualify for an ultrasound, and get information about abortion procedures and potential risks.
The Cottage Women’s Care does not provide or refer for abortions.
