Before you visit an abortion clinic or provider, we strongly encourage you to ask yourself these important health and safety questions:

1. Have you confirmed your pregnancy?
It’s important to be sure that you are pregnant; it is possible to receive a false indication of pregnancy. We can confirm your pregnancy- call and make an appointment! 

2. Do you understand the risks involved in an abortion procedure?
Abortion is a medical procedure and does involve the risk of physical harm. You have the legal right to be informed of the type of procedure you will receive, as well as any potential complications. Ask as many questions as you need, to make sure you understand all that is involved, physically and emotionally.

3. Did you investigate the qualifications of your potential abortion provider?
Find out the name of the doctor who will perform your abortion procedure, and confirm that he or she is a licensed physician and a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist. Call and ask if the doctor has appropriate privileges to admit you to a hospital in the event that there is an emergency. Also, many states maintain public records about past medical malpractice judgments and settlements. Call your state agency (medical licensing board) to see if the doctor has been involved in any medical malpractice suits.

4. Ask how complications are handled.
Abortion providers may not provide any follow-up or emergency care, should complications arise. Ask the abortion clinic if the abortion doctor has admitting privileges to a hospital nearby should you require emergency care.

5. Do you understand that it’s OK to change your mind?
Abortion is your choice—meaning you can change your mind at any time. It’s OK to say, “I need more time to consider my decision,” if you are in the waiting room or even on the table prepped for your procedure. Don’t feel pressured to proceed just because you feel like you have to.

Abortion is a medical procedure that ends a pregnancy. There are two types of abortion: surgical and medical (drug-induced).

Manual Vacuum Aspiration - Until about 7 weeks after last menstrual period (LMP)
This surgical abortion is done early in the pregnancy up until 7 weeks after the woman's last menstrual period.  A long, thin tube is inserted into the uterus.  A large syringe is attachd to the tube and the embryo is suctioned out.

Suction Curettage - About 6 - 14 weeks after LMP
This is the most common surgical abortion procedure.  Because the fetus is larger, the doctor must first stretch open the cervix using metal rods.  Opening the cervix may be painful, so local or general anesthesia is typically needed.  After the cervix is stretched open, the doctor inserts a hard plastic tube into the uterus, then connects this tube to a suction machine.  The suction pulls the fetus' body apart and out of the uterus.  The doctor may also use a loop-shaped tool called a curette to scrape the fetus and fetal parts out of the uterus. (The doctor may refer to the fetus and fetal parts as the "products of conception.")

Dilation and Evacuation (D & E) - Between About 13 - 24 Weeks After LMP
This surgical abortion is done during the second trimester of pregnancy.  At this point in pregnancy, the fetus is too large to be broken up by suction alone and will not pass through the suction tubing.  In this procedure, the cervix must be opened wider than in a first trimester abortion.  This is done by inserting numerous thin rods made of seaweed (called laminaria) a day or two before the abortion.  Once the cervix is stretched open, the doctor pulls out the fetal parts with forceps.  The fetal skull is often crushed to ease removal.  A loop-shaped tool called a curette is also used to scrape out the contents of the uterus, removing any remaining tissue.

THE ABORTION PILL -Mifepristone, Mifeprex, RU-486, Misoprostol, Cytotec

• The FDA approves for use in women up to the 49th day after their last menstrual period.
• Procedure usually requires 3 office visits if administered properly according to manufacturer's instructions
• Abortion pill will not work in case of ectopic pregnancy (outside the uterus- usually in the fallopian tubes) *

On the first visit pills are given to cause death of the embyo.  Two days later, if the abortion has not occured, a second drug causes cramps to expel the embryo.  The final visit- two weeks later is to determine if the abortion is complete.  However 1-4% of women still need a surgical abortion to terminate the pregnancy.

RISKS

• Hemorrhage (heavy bleeding)
• Serious infections

* Ectopic pregnancy is potentially life threatening.  Unless diagnosed early, the tube can burst, causing internal bleeding & in some cases death.  At LifeCare Services you may have a free first trimester ultrasound to confirm that your pregnancy is inter-uterine.

Heavy Bleeding - Some bleeding after abortion is normal. However, if the cervix is torn or the uterus is punctured, there is a severe bleeding known as hemorrhaging. When this happens, a blood transfusion may be require. Severe bleeding is also a risk with the use of the abortion pill: one in 100 women require surgery to stop the bleeding.

Infection - Infection can develop from the insertion of medical instruments into the uterus, or from fetal parts that are mistakenly left inside (known as incomplete abortion). This may cause bleeding and a pelvic infection requiring antibiotics and a repeat abortion to fully empty the uterus. Infection may cause scarring of the pelvic organs.

Sepsis - Use of the abortion pill has results in the death of a number of women due to sepsis (total body infection).

Negative effects from Anesthesia - Complications from general anesthesia used during abortion surgery may result in convulsions, heart complications, and in extreme cases, death.

Damage to the Cervix - The cervix may be cut, torn, or damaged by abortion instruments. This may cause excessive bleeding requiring surgical repair.

Scarring of the Uterus Lining - Curettes and other abortion instruments may cause permanent scarring of the uterine lining.

Perforation of the Uterus - The uterus may be punctured or torn by abortion instruments. The risk of this complication increases with the length of the pregnancy. If this occurs, major surgery may be required, including removal of the uterus (known as a hysterectomy).

Damage to Internal Organs - If the uterus is punctured or torn, there is also a risk that damage may ocur to nearby organs such as the bowel and bladder.

Death - In extreme cases, complications from abortion (excessive bleeding, infection, organ damage from a perforated uterus, and adverse reactions to anesthesia) may lead to death. This complication is rare.  

Post Abortion Stress - psychological, emotional stress responses with wide ranging symptoms

How much does an abortion cost?
The price of an abortion can range from several hundred dollars to several thousand. This range is based upon a number of factors, including stage of pregnancy, type of abortion procedure, geographical region and choice of anesthesia.

Be cautious of abortion providers who seek to collect nonrefundable fees before they offer counseling, or those who don’t give you an opportunity to ask questions and fully understand the risks involved.

If you have questions about abortion, please contact us. We will listen to your concerns, share the facts about abortion, and help you explore all of your options. 

NOTE: We provide accurate medically-documented information about all pregnancy options. However, we do not offer or refer for abortion services.

LifeCare is located 1 1/2 blocks south  of the Purdue Memorial Union.

What Did You Like Best?
What Our Clients Said:

"She was very kind and objective"

All of our services are free and confidential. We recognize the reality that only you can make the choices regarding your pregnancy. We were founded to assist you in making an informed decision.

LifeCare Services offers services to all regardless of race, national origin, age, religious affiliation or marital status.

LifeCare Services does not offer abortion services or abortion referrals.