If you’ve found yourself unexpectedly pregnant, be assured that you aren’t alone. Nearly half of pregnancies in the United States are unplanned. Some women in this situation choose to raise the baby or place the newborn for adoption, but others choose to terminate the pregnancy.
Our doctors at Abortion Care are here to support women facing an unplanned pregnancy. We offer abortions to women in their first trimester, or the first 12 weeks, of pregnancy, as well as full OB/GYN care through delivery for women who choose to continue their pregnancies.
If you’ve decided to terminate your pregnancy, we offer two types of safe, FDA-approved abortion procedures, medical and surgical. Learning more about both options can help you determine which is right for you.
Medical abortion
We offer a medical or nonsurgical abortion procedure to women who are in the first nine weeks of pregnancy. Known colloquially as the Abortion Pill, a medical abortion allows you to terminate your pregnancy privately in your own home.
You take two pills for a medical abortion, the first containing mifepristone and the second containing misoprostol. You take the second medication 1-3 days after taking the first. Taking both medications fully ends the pregnancy in 95%-97% of women.
After taking the second medication, you’ll likely experience heavy bleeding similar to a miscarriage for up to several hours. You might experience light bleeding, similar to a menstrual period, for up to two weeks.
Surgical abortion
For women between weeks five and 12 of pregnancy, we offer a surgical abortion procedure. Our doctors perform this procedure at our practice in Somerset, New Jersey.
A surgical abortion is quick and easy, taking only 3-5 minutes to complete. Our doctors begin by numbing your cervix and then dilating it. We then use a suction that gently removes the pregnancy, emptying your uterus.
You might experience mild cramping during the procedure and light bleeding, similar to a menstrual period, for up to two weeks.
Choosing the right procedure for you
As with deciding to terminate your pregnancy, choosing the best termination procedure is a personal decision that depends on your circumstances and needs.
The first consideration is how far along you are in your pregnancy. If you’re less than five weeks pregnant, you can get a medical abortion right away without waiting until you’re five weeks pregnant to get the surgical procedure. Women 10-12 weeks pregnant need to get a surgical abortion.
Women between 5-9 weeks pregnant can opt for a medical or surgical abortion. Some women prefer to undergo the procedure in the privacy of their home and choose medical abortions.
Other women prefer having a doctor with them during the procedure and opt for a surgical abortion. Our team is here to support you, whichever option you choose.
If you’re considering getting a first-trimester abortion, our compassionate team of doctors at Abortion Care in Somerset, New Jersey, can help you decide if getting an abortion is right for you and, if so, help you choose the right termination procedure.
To explore your options, call our office to make an appointment.
