If you are early in your pregnancy (9 weeks or less from your last normal period) you will have the option of choosing either a surgical or a non-surgical abortion. Each of these methods has advantages and disadvantages. You should choose the procedure that you feel most comfortable with. Please see our pregnancy calculator to estimate the gestation of your pregnancy.
Non-surgical methods
Advantages- Two methods are avaliable (Methotrexate/Misoprostol and Mifepristone/Misoprostol).
- No surgery is required.
- Safer than a surgical procedure.
- Can be done very early in pregnancy.
- Tylenol (acetaminophen) can be used for pain management.
- You will have more control of the process by administering the second medication yourself at a time convenient for you, while being able to enjoy the comfort and privacy of your own home.
- Similar to an early miscarriage and may seem more natural.
- Effectiveness is approximately 95%.
- Methotrexate regimen- does not require that pregnancy be visible on ultrasound, can be used to treat ectopic pregnancy.
- Termination of pregnancy is a process, and instructions must be followed correctly and completely to minimize the risk of incomplete abortion.
- Requires comfort with touching your vagina and administering medication to yourself.
- Must wait several days to a week from your appointment to take the second medication and complete the abortion.
- Bleeding and cramping last one to two weeks. Bleeding may be heavy and cramping may be severe.
- Risk of this method failing to completely empty the uterus is approximately five percent. If the abortion is incomplete, you will require a second dose of medication or a surgical procedure. (The pregnancy cannot be continued after the first medication)
- Requires a follow-up with American Women's Services three weeks after your initial appointment to ensure that the procedure was successful.
- You will be unsure that the abortion was complete until you return for follow-up.
Surgical procedure
Advantages- Abortion is completed by a physician in one day.
- Surgical procedure itself takes approximately five minutes.
- You will be monitored by experienced staff through the entire process and a recovery period.
- Twilight sleep sedation is available to manage any discomfort during the procedure.
- Effectiveness is over 99%.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers can be used for any discomfort after the procedure.
- Surgical abortion is one of the safest surgical procedures performed.
- All surgical procedures carry a risk of complications.
- Must be monitored in the office for one hour after the procedure is completed.
- The procedure, like all surgery, is invasive and can be painful.
- Bleeding and cramping may last for about one week.
- If you choose to be sedated during your procedure, you will be required to have a driver accompany you to your appointment.
- Requires a follow-up appointment two weeks after the procedure.