Where can you find factual information about how abortion works?
Webster’s Dictionary defines abortion1 as “the termination of a pregnancy, after, accompanied by, resulting in, or closely followed by the death of the embryo or fetus.”
Before an abortion can be performed, you need to confirm that you have a viable pregnancy. For a pregnancy to be considered viable, the baby must be located in the uterus and have a heartbeat. Ectopic pregnancy2 is not considered viable. An ultrasound provider cannot confirm a viable pregnancy if you are less than 6 weeks along, or 4 weeks from the first day of your last menstrual period. If a pregnancy is not viable and not going to continue, then there is no need for an abortion. Natural miscarriage usually occurs if a pregnancy is not viable. About 1 in 5 pregnancies will naturally end in a miscarriage in the first trimester.
There are two types of abortion- medical3 and surgical4 (also called an in-clinic abortion). To learn more about each of these and how they work, check out The Difference Between Medical and Surgical Abortions.
An abortion can cost anywhere from $500-$15,000, depending on location, provider, and type being provided. For abortion costs by state, visit PregnancyDecisionLine.org.
If you are pregnant and considering abortion, it is important to know all of the facts about your options before you decide what to do next. You deserve the chance to make an informed decision.
References
- Abortion Definition & Meaning. (2022). Retrieved 16 September 2022, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abortion
- Ectopic Pregnancy. (2022). Retrieved 16 September 2022, from https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/ectopic-pregnancy
- Medical abortion – Mayo Clinic. (2022). Retrieved 16 September 2022, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/medical-abortion/about/pac-20394687
- Encyclopedia, M., & surgical, A. (2022). Abortion – surgical: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Retrieved 16 September 2022, from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/00291
