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Abortion Information and Education

You are not alone.

If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy, you might be considering an abortion. Prior to any abortion, confirming a positive pregnancy test and having an ultrasound are important. There are different types of procedures (and risks) depending on how far along you are. An ultrasound dates a pregnancy, confirms the location of the pregnancy, and checks for viability (if you have a living pregnancy).  Our supportive medical team can provide this at no cost and in a non-judgmental and caring manner.   Call or text us at 210.880.9522 to set up an appointment. 

Abortion Information

What Do I Need to Know About Abortion?

Abortion is a serious medical procedure.  There are two options: medical/chemical and surgical.

Although these procedures are illegal in the state of Texas, we care about your health and safety. If you are considering an abortion, we provide information on the procedures specific to your pregnancy and how each may affect your body, risks, and what to do if complications arise.

Our licensed medical staff is here to answer any questions you have.

What Are the Different Types of Abortion?

The Abortion Pill (also known as medical/chemical abortion, mifeprex, RU-486)

The abortion pill causes an abortion. It is approved by the FDA and the manufacturer up to 10 weeks of pregnancy and involves two medications, mifepristone and misoprostol.

The first medication blocks progesterone which disrupts pregnancy development of the implanted embryo. The second medication is taken separately; this causes strong contractions to empty the uterus.

Symptoms include strong cramping, bleeding, nausea and possibly vomiting.

Sometimes a D&C procedure is needed if all of the embryo and pregnancy tissue are not removed.

Surgical Abortion (2 types – Vacuum Aspiration and Dilation & Evacuation) 

A surgical abortion removes the fetus from the uterus through the vagina.  These procedures often use suction or medical instruments.  Different procedures are used depending on how far along you are.  If you are unsure how far along you are (and most women are unsure), reach out to us for a no-cost ultrasound. 

Typical surgical abortion steps: 

  • Dilators (rods) or medication may might be used to open the cervix (depends on how far along you are) 

  • A  numbing medicine may be injected in the cervix. Sometimes other medicines for pain or sedation will be given by mouth or through a vein. 

  • Your cervix will be opened with a small instrument. 

  • A suction tube (cannula) will be used to remove the fetus and pregnancy tissue. 

  • There will be cramping, and some women may have nausea or feel faint. 

What are the Complications of Abortion?

The abortion pill has a 4 times higher complication rate than surgical abortions.

Be Aware: 8%-10% of women will require a surgical abortion to complete the process.

If you perform an abortion procedure without medical supervision, be sure to seek emergency medical attention if you experience the following:

  • Heavy bleeding: soaking through 2 pads an hour for 2 or more hours.
  • Foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
  • Fever higher than 100.4 F lasting more than 24 hours.
  • Severe abdominal or back pain that doesn’t respond to pain medication.
What Are the Risks?

Just like any other surgical or medical procedure, there are health risks associated with abortion.

Some risks of the abortion pill include incomplete abortion, heavy bleeding, and infection.

A surgical abortion can lead to damage to the cervix, uterus, and other internal organs.

Extreme risks include sepsis, fertility loss, and death.

If you have more questions, our licensed medical staff is here for you and can give you factual information about the risks of these procedures.  Reach out and schedule your no-cost appointment today at 210.880.9522.

References

Abortion Pill Reversal

Know Your Options

I want to Reverse my Abortion*

I’ve already taken the first pill. Can I change my mind?

There is help available even after taking the abortion pill. It’s not unusual to have doubts after starting an abortion. You do not have to take the second pill or complete the abortion if you would like to stop the process. It is always your choice to change your mind.

How do I get help?

Even if you have started the chemical abortion process, reversal may still be a choice for you. To talk with someone about reversal, you can call 877-558-0333 or visit the Abortion Pill Reversal website. We're here for you! 

How does it work?

The first pill in a chemical abortion (mifepristone) lowers progesterone (a pregnancy hormone) and makes it difficult for the pregnancy to continue. A medical professional in the APR Network will prescribe progesterone to restabilize the pregnancy.

An ultrasound will be done as soon as possible to confirm heart rate, placement, and dating of your pregnancy. The treatment will usually continue for at least two weeks.

By giving extra progesterone in the abortion pill reversal protocol, the hope is to outnumber and outcompete the first abortion pill to reverse the effects. This increases the likelihood of continuing the pregnancy.

Is APR successful?

Initial studies of APR have shown it is successful about 68% of the time when oral progesterone is prescribed. APR has been shown to increase the chances of allowing the pregnancy to continue. However, the outcome of your particular reversal attempt cannot be guaranteed.

Is APR safe or will it cause birth defects?

Neither mifepristone nor progesterone is associated with birth defects.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) in its Practice Bulletin Number 225, October 2020, (reaffirmed in 2023) states that: “No evidence exists to date of a teratogenic effect of mifepristone.” There is no evidence that mifepristone, the first pill in the abortion pill regimen, causes any birth defects.

Progesterone has been safely used in pregnancy since the 1950s. Initial studies have found that the birth defect rate in babies born after APR is less than or equal to the rate in the general population.

Where do I start the APR protocol?

The APR Network is an international network with many medical professionals who are trained and ready to assist you with reversal. The hotline is staffed 24/7 and there is always a nurse ready to talk with you and provide the help you need. You can call the APR hotline at 877-558-0333 to speak with a nurse who will discuss the reversal process, answer your questions, and complete a medical intake with you. The nurse will then connect you with a medical professional in your area who is able to begin the reversal protocol. The nurse on the hotline will also be able to connect you with a local pregnancy center who can assist you with any additional needs or concerns you may have.

Where can I find more information about APR?

To learn more about APR you can visit the Abortion Pill Reversal website or call the APR hotline at 877-558-0333 to speak with a nurse about reversal. The APR website also has a Frequently Asked Questions page where you can read more about reversal. There is also a success stories page where you can read about other women’s experiences with APR. It is always your choice to change your mind and there is a network of caring staff ready to help you.

References

Abortion Pill Rescue. (2021, May). Progesterone protocols for the attempted reversal of mifepristone. https://aaplog.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/B-Progesterone-Protocols-05.2021-Final.pdf

Abortion Pill Reversal. (n.d.). Abortion pill reversal success stories. https://abortionpillreversal.com/abortion-pill-reversal/success-stories

Abortion Pill Reversal. (n.d.). Can the abortion pill be reversed?. https://abortionpillreversal.com/abortion-pill-reversal/overview

Abortion Pill Reversal. (n.d.). Contact us. https://abortionpillreversal.com/contact

Abortion Pill Reversal. (n.d.). Frequently asked questions. https://abortionpillreversal.com/abortion-pill-reversal/faq

Abortion Pill Reversal. (n.d.). https://abortionpillreversal.com/

American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2020, February). Medication abortion. AAPLOG Practice Guideline, 8, 1-17. https://aaplog.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/PG-8-Medication-Abortion.pdf

American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2022, November). The reversal of the effects of mifepristone by progesterone. AAPLOG Practice Guideline, 6, 1-5. https://aaplog.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/PG-6-Reversal-of-the-Effects-of-Mifepristone-by-Progesterone.pdf

American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2019). 2019 AAPLOG position statement on abortion pill reversal. https://aaplog.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/2019-AAPLOG-Statement-on-Abortion-Pill-Reversal.pdf

Delgado, G., Condly, S. J., Davenport, M., Tinnakornsrisuphap, T., Mack, J., Khauv, V., & Zhou, P. S. (2018). A case series detailing the successful reversal of the effects of mifepristone using progesterone. Issues in Law & Medicine, 33(1), 21-31. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30831017/

Drugs.com. (2023, March 3). Progesterone pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings. https://www.drugs.com/pregnancy/progesterone.html

NaProTechnology. (n.d.). Progesterone support in pregnancy. https://naprotechnology.com/progesterone/

Schreiber, C. A., Creinin, M. D., Atrio, J., Sonalkar, S., Ratcliffe, S. J., & Barnhart, K. T. (2018). Mifepristone pretreatment for the medical management of early pregnancy loss. The New England Journal of Medicine, 378, 2161-2170. 10.1056/NEJMoa1715726

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2020, October). Medication abortion up to 70 days of gestation. Practice Bulletin: Gynecology and the Society of Family Planning, 225. https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-bulletin/articles/2020/10/medication-abortion-up-to-70-days-of-gestation

Wallach, E. & Seegar Jones, G. (1976). The luteal phase defect. Fertility and Sterility, 27(4), 351-356. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0015-0282(16)41769-3