Get The Facts

If you’re navigating an unexpected pregnancy, it’s important to remember that abortion is a serious procedure that has side effects and risks. Making informed decisions is key.

While Care Net of Carbon County does not perform or refer for abortions, we are committed to equipping you with reliable, medically accurate information so you can make choices that support your health and future.

What to Know About Abortion

Abortion procedures end a pregnancy through various means. There are two primary types: medical abortion and surgical abortion. Each method involves different potential risks.

Medical Abortion (The Abortion Pill)

A medical abortion involves taking two drugs that work together to terminate a pregnancy. The FDA approves this method for pregnancies through 10 weeks gestation.

The first pill, mifepristone, blocks progesterone, a hormone essential for sustaining a pregnancy. This halts the pregnancy’s development.

The second drug, misoprostol, is taken shortly afterward and causes the uterus to contract, expelling the pregnancy through bleeding and cramping.

In addition to bleeding and cramping, medical abortion can cause additional side effects, including:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Chills or fever
• Headaches
• Upset stomach

Additionally, abortion drugs pose certain risks, which can be severe. These risks include:

• Digestive symptoms
• Fever
• Heavy, prolonged bleeding
• Incomplete abortion (potentially requiring surgical treatment)
• Infection

Surgical Abortion

Surgical abortion involves various methods, including medical instruments, suction, and drugs to end the pregnancy. The specific approach varies depending on how far along the pregnancy is.

Cramping and light spotting can occur for several days afterward.

It’s crucial to know that surgical abortion is also associated with certain risks, including:

• Perforation of the uterus (if a surgical tool pokes a hole)
• Injury to the cervix
• Scar tissue formation in the uterus (which may impact fertility or cause painful periods)
• Infections

Understanding what each method entails—and how it may affect you—is essential to evaluating your next steps.

Weigh Your Options

At Care Net of Carbon County, we prioritize helping you understand all available pregnancy options in a safe environment. You’ll never be pressured—only heard and respected.

Our team offers information on all your options so you can ask questions and discuss your concerns—all without judgment.

Schedule a free and confidential appointment today.

Care Net of Carbon County does not provide or refer for abortions.