Abortion Information
Are you pregnant and considering abortion in Huntington Beach, Long Beach, surrounding areas and more through our Mobile Clinic? We offer accurate information about all your pregnancy options; however, we do not offer or refer for abortion services, but we do provide free ultrasound services to confirm a viable pregnancy. The abortion method available to you differs depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy. We can help you determine how far along you are and explain to you the different methods of abortion along with your other options. We realize this is time sensitive, request a free and confidential appointment today.
ABORTION INFORMATION
MEDICAL ABORTION
Medication abortion also called the abortion pill, can be taken up to 70 days (10 weeks pregnant). The pill (two drugs) is taken in two doses, one typically at a doctor’s office and the other at home.1
The FDA strongly cautions people against buying drugs from certain Internet pharmacies and specifically warns people not to buy abortion pills, or the generic version on the Internet because it by-passes safeguards.2,3
SURGICAL ABORTION
There are several types of surgical abortions. Suction aspiration, also called suction curettage, or vacuum aspiration abortion, is performed during the first 6 to 14 weeks gestational stage. Dilation and Evacuation (D&E) is another type of procedure typically done in later weeks. Both types have risks and side-effects and greatly vary depending on your gestation and health.4
ULTRASOUND BEFORE ABORTION?
An ultrasound is often recommended before an abortion for several reasons:
Do an ultrasound exam to date pregnancy
Knowing your menstrual cycle dates can help, but having an ultrasound is the most certain way to get exact dates for your pregnancy.5
Find out if your pregnancy is viable
26% percent of known pregnancies end in miscarriage, but the actual number is likely higher because many miscarriages occur very early in pregnancy.6 If you do not have a viable pregnancy, an abortion may not even be necessary. Get an ultrasound exam to confirm a viable pregnancy.
Can you take the Abortion Pill?
Before taking the abortion pill, you need to know how far along you are.
Medical abortion isn’t an option if you:7
- Have an intrauterine device (IUD) currently in place.
- If there is a concern that the pregnancy is outside of the uterus. This is called ectopic pregnancy and can be life-threatening. Learn about the risk factors and signs of an ectopic pregnancy.8
- If your pregnancy is past 10 weeks. The FDA has only approved the abortion pill for up to 10 weeks from the LMP. Taking the abortion pill later in pregnancy is associated with increased risk of complications, such as an incomplete abortion or severe bleeding.9
- If you have certain medical problems including: bleeding disorders, severe liver or kidney disease, known cardiac disease, or an uncontrolled seizure disorder.
- If you take certain medications including blood thinners or steroids.
- If you are allergic to the medicines used
The gestational age of the pregnancy determines the types of abortion procedures typically used. If you can’t have a medical abortion, or don’t prefer that method, a surgical procedure may be an option. We can help you learn more about your pregnancy with our free ultrasound services.
Explore your options, call (714) 897-7500, text (714) 912-1533 or request an appointment today. Learn more about how we can help.
Free Pregnancy clinic locations in Huntington Beach, Long Beach, Downey, and Anaheim California.
REFERENCES
1. MEDICAL ABORTION
Information taken from U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2016). “Mifeprex Medication Guide.” U.S. Department of Health. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/mifeprex-mifepristone-information
2. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/how-buy-medicines-safely-online-pharmacy
3. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/mifeprex-mifepristone-information
4. SURGICAL ABORTIONS
- Paul, M., Lichtenberg, E. S., Borgatta, L., Grimes, D. A., Stubblefield, P. G., & Creinin, M. D. (2009). First Trimester Aspiration Abortion. In Management of unintended and abnormal pregnancy: Comprehensive abortion care (pp. 135-156).
- Chichester, UK: Wiley-Blackwell. Planned Parenthood Federation of America Inc. (2014). In-Clinic Abortion Procedures : Planned Parenthood. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
- American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. (2013). Practice Bulletin: Second-Trimester Abortion (135).
- Pasquini, L., et al. Intracardiac injection of potassium chloride as method for feticide: Experience from a single U.K. tertiary centre. Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 2008;115(4):528–31.
5. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/multimedia/fetal-ultrasound/sls-20076294
6. Dugas C, Slane VH. Miscarriage. [Updated 2022 Jun 27]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532992/
7. Mayo Clinic. (2022, July 29). Medical abortion: Before Using. Mayo Clinic – Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/medical-abortion/about/pac-20394687
- Physician’s Desk Reference. (2022). Korlym (mifepristone) Contraindications dose, indications, adverse effects, interactions… from PDR.net. https://www.pdr.net/drug-summary/Korlym-mifepristone-2928#11
- Physician’s Desk Reference Guide. (2022). Cytotec (misoprostol) dose, indications, adverse effects, interactions… from PDR.net. https://www.pdr.net/drug-summary/Cytotec-misoprostol-1044.430#11
8. Mayo Clinic. (2022, March 12). Ectopic pregnancy – Symptoms and causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/symptoms-causes/syc-20372088
9. Mentula MJ, Niinimäki M, Suhonen S, Hemminki E, Gissler M, Heikinheimo O. Immediate adverse events after second trimester medical termination of pregnancy: results of a nationwide registry study. Hum Reprod. 2011 Apr;26(4):927-32. doi: 10.1093/humrep/der016. Epub 2011 Feb 11. PMID: 21317416.
The content on this page has been reviewed and approved by our Medical Director.