With the medical abortion procedure (abortion pill), you may feel some discomfort, cramping or abdominal pain. This can be more or less intense depending on many factors, one such is gestational length. With the surgical procedure, you will be given a mild sedative to reduce anxiety and local anesthetics. You may still feel some discomfort, pressure, and pain.

It is possible for the fetus/embryo to feel pain during the abortion. Pain receptors begin developing at 4 weeks. The embryo/fetus is growing rapidly between 4 and 20 weeks which allows response to touch and sensation. At 20 weeks, all of the physiological connections are in place for the fetus to feel pain. New research has come to light that suggests a type of pain or discomfort could likely be felt from 12 weeks on (1,2).

1) Derbyshire SW, Bockmann JC. Reconsidering fetal pain. Journal of Medical Ethics 2020;46:3-6.

2) Thill B. Fetal Pain in the First Trimester. The Linacre Quarterly. December 2021. doi:10.1177/00243639211059245

The morning-after pill is a method used to prevent pregnancy. It may cause a very early abortion if fertilization has already occurred. The most common morning-after pill is known as Plan B. It must be taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex. There are side effects and risks with the morning-after pill.

The abortion pill is a method used to terminate an early pregnancy. The two abortion pills typically used are Mifepristone and Misoprostol. It must be taken within 49 days of the start of your last menstrual period. There are side effects and risks with the abortion pill.

Medical

• If there are no complications or issues, the medical abortion procedure will take one week in its entirety. Read more about the medical abortion here.

Surgical

5 to 12 weeks

• If there are no complications or issues, the suction aspiration or dilation and curettage abortion appointment will take 3-4 hours. The actual abortion procedure only takes 5-10 minutes.

12 to 16 weeks

• If there are no complications or issues, the abortion appointment will take 3-4 hours. The actual abortion procedure only takes 5-15 minutes.

16 to 20 Weeks

• This late in pregnancy may require a require a two-day procedure. The length of time spent at the clinic may vary but the evacuation portion of the abortion can take up to 30 minutes.

If you are feeling pressured to have an abortion, seek help from someone you trust. If you do not have a trusted family member or friend you can call us at 780-421-9941. The conversation will be confidential and non-judgmental.

You can change your mind right up to the start of the abortion procedure if you are not 100% certain that you want an abortion. Once the abortion procedure has begun, you cannot change your mind. An abortion is an irreversible decision.

Yes, there are both physical and emotional risks.

There are physical risks with any surgical procedure. You may experience any of these complications from an abortion procedure: infection, uterine or cervical damage, placenta previa, pelvic inflammatory disease, retained products of conception (fetal parts, placenta, umbilical cord, or amniotic sac), and future premature birth.

Some women and men may experience strong negative disturbances soon after the abortion or several months / years later. Some women, especially if they have a previous history of mental illness may be more likely to experience depression, addiction, and/or PTSD. It varies from person to person.

Barrett JM, Boehm FH, Killam AP. Induced abortion: a risk factor for placenta previa. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1981 Dec 1;141(7):769-72. doi: 10.1016/0002-9378(81)90702-x. PMID: 7315904.

Coleman PK, Coyle CT, Shuping M, Rue VM. Induced abortion and anxiety, mood, and substance abuse disorders: isolating the effects of abortion in the national comorbidity survey. J Psychiatr Res. 2009 May;43(8):770-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2008.10.009. Epub 2008 Nov 28. Erratum in: J Psychiatr Res. 2011 Aug;45(8):1133-4. PMID: 19046750.

Karami, M., & Jenabi, E. (2017). Placenta previa after prior abortion: a meta-analysis. Biomedical Research and Therapy, 4(07), 1441-1450. https://doi.org/10.15419/bmrat.v4i07.197

Mufel, N. (2002). Predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder following abortion in a former Soviet Union country. Journal of Prenatal & Perinatal Psychology & Health, 17(1), 41.

Phillippa Goodwin & Jane Ogden (2007) Women's reflections upon their past abortions: An exploration of how and why emotional reactions change over time, Psychology & Health, 22:2, 231-248, DOI: 10.1080/14768320600682384

Reardon DC, Ney PG. Abortion and subsequent substance abuse. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2000 Feb;26(1):61-75. doi: 10.1081/ada-100100591. PMID: 10718164.

Sajadi-Ernazarova KR, Martinez CL. Abortion Complications. [Updated 2021 May 24]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430793/

Stevenson MM, Radcliffe KW. Preventing Pelvic Infection after Abortion. International Journal of STD & AIDS. 1995;6(5):305-312. doi:10.1177/095646249500600501

Sullins DP. Affective and Substance Abuse Disorders Following Abortion by Pregnancy Intention in the United States: A Longitudinal Cohort Study. Medicina (Kaunas). 2019 Nov 15;55(11):741. doi: 10.3390/medicina55110741. PMID: 31731786; PMCID: PMC6915619.

Sullins DP. Abortion, substance abuse and mental health in early adulthood: Thirteen-year longitudinal evidence from the United States. SAGE Open Med. 2016 Sep 23;4:2050312116665997. doi: 10.1177/2050312116665997. PMID: 27781096; PMCID: PMC5066584.

Fergusson DM, Horwood LJ, Boden JM. Does abortion reduce the mental health risks of unwanted or unintended pregnancy? A re-appraisal of the evidence. Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2013 Sep;47(9):819-27. doi: 10.1177/0004867413484597. Epub 2013 Apr 3. PMID: 23553240.

C. Rousset, C. Brulfert, N. Séjourné, N. Goutaudier & H. Chabrol (2011) Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and psychological distress following medical and surgical abortion, Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 29:5, 506-517, DOI: 10.1080/02646838.2012.654489

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/expert-answers/abortion/faq-20058551

Women have varying emotional responses following an abortion. These reactions may be immediate or occur years later. Emotional responses vary depending on a woman’s age, stage of pregnancy, religious or cultural beliefs, previous mental health, number of abortions, or whether she is being pressured by others into having an abortion (Citation). An abortion decision can affect both the man and the woman.

Coleman PK, Coyle CT, Shuping M, Rue VM. Induced abortion and anxiety, mood, and substance abuse disorders: isolating the effects of abortion in the national comorbidity survey. J Psychiatr Res. 2009 May;43(8):770-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2008.10.009. Epub 2008 Nov 28. Erratum in: J Psychiatr Res. 2011 Aug;45(8):1133-4. PMID: 19046750.

Phillippa Goodwin & Jane Ogden (2007) Women's reflections upon their past abortions: An exploration of how and why emotional reactions change over time, Psychology & Health, 22:2, 231-248, DOI: 10.1080/14768320600682384

Sullins DP. Affective and Substance Abuse Disorders Following Abortion by Pregnancy Intention in the United States: A Longitudinal Cohort Study. Medicina (Kaunas). 2019 Nov 15;55(11):741. doi: 10.3390/medicina55110741. PMID: 31731786; PMCID: PMC6915619.

Sullins DP. Abortion, substance abuse and mental health in early adulthood: Thirteen-year longitudinal evidence from the United States. SAGE Open Med. 2016 Sep 23;4:2050312116665997. doi: 10.1177/2050312116665997. PMID: 27781096; PMCID: PMC5066584.