Considering Abortion? | LifeChoices Women's Care

Considering Abortion?

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Our counsel is that abortion compounds rather than solves the problems associated with a crisis pregnancy. The center never advices, provides, or refers for abortion or abortifacients.


Learn About Abortion Procedures and Abortion Risks 
Abortion is not just a simple medical procedure. For many women, it is a life changing event with significant physical, emotional, and spiritual consequences. Most women who struggle with past abortions say that they wish they had been told all of the facts about abortion and its risks.

Abortion Procedures
Manual Vacuum Aspiration: up to 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. Visit us to learn more. 

Suction Curettage:  between 6 to 14 weeks after LMP
This is the most common surgical abortion procedure.  Because the baby 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. Visit us to learn more.

Dilation and Evacuation (D&E): between 13 to 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. Visit us to learn more.

Dilation and Extraction (D&X) (partial-birth abortion): from 20 weeks after LMP to full-term
This procedure takes three days. During the first two days, the cervix is stretched open using thin rods made of seaweed, and medication is given for pain. On the third day, the abortion doctor uses ultrasound to locate the legs of the fetus. Grasping a leg with forceps, the doctor delivers the fetus up to the head. Visit us to learn more.

RU486, Mifepristone (Abortion Pill) Within 4 to 7 weeks after LMP
This drug is only approved for use in women up to the 49th day after their last menstrual period.  The procedure usually requires three office visits.  Visit us to learn more.
Abortion Risks
Side effects may occur with induced abortion, whether surgical or by pill. These include abdominal pain and cramping, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.  Abortion also carries the risk of significant complications such as bleeding, infection, and damage to organs.  Serious complications occur in less than 1 out of 100 early abortions and in about 1 out of every 50 later abortions. Complications may include:

  • Heavy Bleeding - Some bleeding after abortion is normal. However, if the cervix is torn  or the uterus is punctured, there is a risk of severe bleeding known as hemorrhaging. When this happens, a blood transfusion may be required.  Severe bleeding is also a risk with the use of RU486.  One in 100 women who use RU486 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 an incomplete abortion).  A pelvic infection may lead to persistent fever over several days and extended hospitalization.  It can also cause scarring of the pelvic organs.
  • Incomplete Abortion - Some fetal parts may be mistakenly left inside after the abortion. Bleeding and infection may result. 
  • Sepsis – A number of RU486 or mifepristone users have died as a result of sepsis (total body infection).
  • Anesthesia – Complications from general anesthesia used during abortion surgery may result in convulsions, heart attack, and in extreme cases, death.  It also increases the risk of other serious complications by two and a half times.
  • Damage to the Cervix - The cervix may be cut, torn, or damaged by abortion instruments.  This can cause excessive bleeding that requires surgical repair.
  • Scarring of the Uterine Lining – Suction tubing, 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 - When the uterus is punctured or torn, there is also a risk that damage will occur to nearby organs such as the bowel and bladder.
  • Death - In extreme cases, other physical complications from abortion including excessive bleeding, infection, organ damage from a perforated uterus, and adverse reactions to anesthesia may lead to death. This complication is rare, but is real.
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    LifeChoices Women's Care, 1527 Dale Mabry Hwy., Suite 101, Lutz FL 33548  Tel.(813) 948-PREG (7734)

    LifeChoices Women's Care is a tax-exempt, charitable organization under section 501c(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. 

    Federal ID # 27-0147122. Your gift is tax deductible. No goods or services were provided to donor in return for this contribution.


    LifeChoices Women's Care is affiliated with Heartbeat International and National Institute of Family and Life Advocates. 
    LifeChoices Women's Care is also part of  the Pregnancy Resource Centers West Coast Collaborative.

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