When facing an unexpected pregnancy, it’s common to have questions—and one might be: “How does abortion actually end a pregnancy?” It’s not as simple as it sounds.
Understanding what happens during an abortion—whether it’s medical or surgical—can help you make an informed, confident decision. While the process varies, both types of abortion are designed to end the pregnancy and then remove it from the uterus.
Schedule a no-cost and confidential appointment to confirm your pregnancy and get accurate information about all your options.
Medical Abortion (The Abortion Pill)
Medical abortion involves taking two drugs. The first (mifepristone) blocks the hormone progesterone, which is needed to support a pregnancy. Without it, the pregnancy stops progressing and ends. The second drug (misoprostol) triggers the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy.
This process typically happens at home over the course of several days and causes strong abdominal cramping and heavy vaginal bleeding (blood clots up to the size of a lemon are normal).
Some women also experience vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach, headache, fever, or chills. In some cases, the abortion pill process may be incomplete, which would require additional medical treatment.
Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortion is performed in a clinic or hospital. An abortion provider uses drugs or tools to dilate (open) the cervix, then manually removes the pregnancy using suction or surgical instruments.
This procedure is typically done later in pregnancy and may involve sedation or local anesthesia. Recovery often includes light bleeding and cramping for a few days, but risks like infection, damage to the cervix, poking a hole in the uterus, and scar tissue on the uterine wall can happen.
Find Out More About Your Pregnancy
Schedule a no-cost appointment to find out more about your pregnancy and what options are available to you. We’ll provide pregnancy testing and an ultrasound to confirm your pregnancy and provide essential details to help you make safer choices.
FAQ
What should I do before deciding on an abortion?
Before moving forward with any decision, it’s important to confirm your pregnancy with an ultrasound. This can reveal how far along you are and rule out any complications like miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.
Will I bleed a lot?
Bleeding is expected with both types of abortion. If you’re soaking through more than two pads an hour for more than two hours, it’s time to seek medical help.
Can I just take the abortion pill without seeing anyone?
Ordering abortion pills online or using them without medical oversight can be risky. Without a proper exam, you won’t know if there are health concerns that could put you at greater risk.