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Abortion

Considering Abortion in California? Get the Facts First!

If you’re considering abortion in California, you’re not alone. The compassionate team of medical professionals at CAPS is here to help you make an informed and empowered decision as you take your next steps.

Confirm Your Pregnancy

The first step is to confirm your pregnancy. 

CAPS provides free pregnancy tests and ultrasounds. An ultrasound can determine how far along you are and whether or not the pregnancy is developing properly inside the uterus. 

Having this information will inform your options going forward.

Be Informed

Next, be informed about the different types of abortion and their associated risks.

What is Surgical Abortion and How Does it Work?

In a surgical abortion, a suction device is used to remove the embryo or fetus from the uterus through the vagina. This procedure is performed at an abortion clinic and you are sent home the same day. However, if complications arise, you may need to go to the emergency room to receive treatment.

How Does the Abortion Pill Work?

Although it’s referred to as a pill (singular), the abortion pill actually consists of two medications: mifepristone and misoprostol. Mifepristone is taken first. It cuts the supply of the progesterone hormone to the embryo, which is needed to maintain the pregnancy. Without a steady supply of progesterone, the embryo stops growing and eventually dies. Misoprostol is taken 24-48 hours later. This medication causes the uterus to contract and expel the embryo, which ends the pregnancy.

What are the Risks of Abortion?

  • Incomplete Abortion. An abortion may not successfully remove all of the fetal tissue. This can occur in a surgical abortion but is more common with the abortion pill. A surgical procedure may be required to remove retained tissue to prevent infection or stop the bleeding.[1]

  • Failed Abortion. The abortion pill regimen doesn’t always cause an abortion. A failed abortion means that the pregnancy is intact, with a live baby. Some women opt to continue their pregnancies when this happens. A surgical abortion is often done for an incomplete or failed abortion.[2] 

  • Infection. The insertion of instruments or retained fetal tissue may lead to infection. Infrequently, total body infection, known as sepsis, occurs and can be life-threatening. Pelvic infection can cause scarring of the pelvic organs, which can lead to future complications such as infertility and an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy.[3][4][5]

  • Negative Impact on Future Pregnancies. Studies have shown a link between surgical abortion and an increased risk of premature birth and low birth weight in future pregnancies.[6][7][8][9][10]

  • Hemorrhage. 1 out of 100 women who use the abortion pill up to 10 weeks after their last menstrual period need a surgical procedure to stop the bleeding.[11] Additionally, the FDA states that 2.9 to 4.6% of women will have to go to the emergency room after taking mifepristone.[12] As many as 7% of women will need surgery to stop the bleeding or complete the abortion.[13]

  • Organ Damage. The cervix and/or uterus may be cut, torn, or punctured by instruments. This may cause excessive bleeding and require surgical repair. If the uterus is punctured, the bowel and bladder may be injured. The risk of these types of complications increases with the length of the pregnancy.[14]

Get Tested for STIs/STDs

It’s crucial to get tested for STIs/STDs regularly, as many don’t have obvious symptoms. Additionally, STIs/STDs can increase your risk of developing a post-abortive infection.[15] 

CAPS provides free to low-cost STI/STD testing and treatment so you can protect your health.

Abortion Information in San Diego, California

Our compassionate team is ready to serve you. Get the facts you need and the care you deserve at CAPS. 

Give us a call at (619) 337-8080 or make an appointment online today.

Schedule Appointment

Sources

  1. U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2020, December 2). Abortion – Surgical. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002912.htm 
  2. American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists. (2020). Medication abortion up to 70 days of gestation. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 136(4), 855-858. doi:10.1097/ aog.0000000000004083. https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-bulletin/articles/2020/10/medication-abortion-up-to-70-days-of-gestation#
  3. Stevenson MM, Radcliffe KW. Preventing pelvic infection after abortion. Int J STD AIDS. 1995 Sep-Oct;6(5):305-12. doi: 10.1177/095646249500600501. PMID: 8547409. 
  4. Bridwell RE, Long B, Montrief T, Gottlieb M. Post-abortion Complications: A Narrative Review for Emergency Clinicians. West J Emerg Med. 2022 Oct 23;23(6):919-925. doi: 10.5811/ westjem.2022.8.57929. PMID: 36409940; PMCID: PMC9683756.    
  5. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). Mayo Clinic. (2022, April 30). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20352594
  6. American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists. (2019). Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Retrieved June 14, 2023. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/pelvic-inflammatory-disease 
  7. Swingle, H. M., Colaizy, T. T., Zimmerman, M. B., Morriss, F. H. (2009). Abortion and the risk of subsequent preterm birth: A systematic review with meta-analyses. The Journal of Reproductive Medicine, 54(2), 95–108. 
  8. Shah, P. S., Zao, J. (2009). Induced termination of pregnancy and low birthweight and preterm birth: A systematic review and meta-analyses. British Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 116(11), 1425–42. doi: 10.1111/j.1471- 0528.2009.02278.x.
  9. Moreau, C., Kaminski, M., Ancel, P.Y., Bouyer, J., et al (2005). Previous induced abortions and the risk of very preterm delivery: Results of the EPIPAGE study. Br J Obstet Gynaecol,5,112(4):430–37. 
  10. Ancel, P.Y., Lelong, N., Papiernik, E., Saurel-Cubizolles, M.J., Kaminski, M (2004). History of induced abortion as a risk factor for preterm birth in European countries: Results 
  11. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, (2016). Mifeprex medication guide. https://www.fda.gov/media/72923/download
  12. Supreme Court of the United States. (2024, February). Brief for the Respondents. https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/23/23-235/301142/20240222125412317_23-235%20%2023-236%20Brief%20for%20the%20Respondents.pdf 
  13. See source #12.
  14. Paul, E. S. Lichtenberg, L. Borgatta, D. A. Grimes, P. G. Stubblefield, & M. D. Creinin (Eds.), 2009. Medical abortion in early pregnancy in Management of unintended and abnormal pregnancy: Comprehensive abortion care (pp.122-29). Chichester, UK: Wiley-Blackwell.
  15. Carlsson, I., Breding, K., & Larsson, P.-G. (2018, September 25). Complications related to induced abortion: a combined retrospective and longitudinal follow-up study. U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6156848/
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