FAQ

There are two types of abortions: medical and surgical abortion. Each abortion type comes with serious risks to consider. Potential risks of medical abortion include:

• Incomplete abortion (may need to be followed by surgical abortion)
• Heavy/prolonged bleeding
• Infection
• Fever
• Digestive system discomfort

Potential risks of surgical abortion include:

• Damage to the uterus/cervix
• Uterine perforation (accidentally putting a hole in the uterus with one of the instruments used)
• Excessive bleeding
• Infection of the uterus or fallopian tubes
• Scarring of the inside of the uterus
• Breathing problems caused by a reaction to the medicines or anesthesia used

According to the Mayo Clinic, the best time to take a pregnancy test is at least one day after your missed period. Waiting until a little after your missed period gives your body time to produce a detectable amount of HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)—the pregnancy hormone.

An ultrasound is necessary to confirm pregnancy and determine your pregnancy options. If you are considering abortion, you will need an ultrasound to know which type of abortion procedure you qualify for. Ultrasounds confirm three important details of pregnancy, including:

1. If your pregnancy is viable (progressing)
2. The location of your pregnancy (if it's growing inside the uterus)
3. How far along you are (the gestational age)

If you have any pregnancy complications, an ultrasound will alert you. If you're experiencing anything like a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy (where the pregnancy grows outside the uterus), an abortion would not be necessary. In some cases, you would need to seek medical attention from a doctor right away. Schedule a free and confidential ultrasound at our center to confirm all three of these details and receive clarity today. Be informed and confidently move forward in your pregnancy.

Common Pregnancy Symptoms

You could be experiencing pregnancy signs already, including a missed period or other symptoms like nausea or tender/swollen breasts, spotting, fatigue/tiredness, morning sickness, backaches, and headaches. Other common pregnancy symptoms include frequent urination, darkening of areolas, food cravings or aversions, and mood swings. Confirm your pregnancy today with lab-quality pregnancy testing at Heartbeats Women's Center. If you receive a positive test, our medical staff will help to verify your pregnancy even further with an ultrasound. Our team is here for you with more information on all your options.