Considering abortion comes with a lot to process. It’s important to take all the time you need to receive accurate information before rushing into a decision. Your peace of mind matters.
At Alpha Center, our team provide no-cost, confidential services, including lab-quality pregnancy testing, limited ultrasounds after a positive test, and options consultations so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.
Call or text us 24/7 at (605) 361-3500, visit us at 3405 S. Kiwanis Avenue in Sioux Falls, or schedule online.
First, Verify Your Pregnancy
Before making any decision, verifying your pregnancy is a necessary first step. A lab-quality pregnancy test tells you that you are pregnant, but it does not tell you everything you need to know. A limited ultrasound is what determines how far along you are, where the pregnancy is located, and whether the pregnancy is progressing. It is essential to know this critical information before making a very significant decision.
An ultrasound can also reveal whether a miscarriage has already occurred or whether the pregnancy is ectopic, meaning the pregnancy is developing outside the uterus. Both of those situations require medical attention, and abortion would not be the appropriate course of action in either case.
Verifying these details first protects your health and safety and ensures that any decision you make is based on accurate, complete information.
Understanding the Two Methods
There are two distinct abortion methods, and which one applies to your specific pregnancy depends primarily on gestational age and your personal health history, neither of which can be determined without a limited ultrasound.
A medical abortion, commonly referred to as the abortion pill, involves a two-drug regimen and is FDA-approved through 10 weeks of gestation. The first drug, mifepristone, blocks progesterone, the hormone that keeps a pregnancy implanted in the uterus. The second drug, misoprostol, causes the body to expel the pregnancy and related tissue through cramping and vaginal bleeding.
Possible side effects and risks include excessive bleeding, painful cramping, nausea, diarrhea, and the risk of incomplete abortion, infection, or blood clots, and in some cases, death if there is a lack of medical oversight.
A surgical abortion is an invasive procedure performed by a licensed doctor at a clinic or hospital, and is done further along in the pregnancy. The specific type of procedure is determined by gestational age.
Possible side effects and risks include heavy bleeding, fever, severe cramping, and the risk of uterine perforation, cervical damage, or infection.
The Emotional Experience Is Worth Considering
Abortion affects more than just the physical body. There are many emotions and circumstances surrounding an abortion, and every woman’s experience is different and unique. Some feel relief, while others carry feelings of grief, sadness, or regret long after the procedure is over.
Research suggests that women who feel pressured into a decision, who have a desire to continue the pregnancy, or who are navigating pre-existing mental health challenges are more likely to experience emotional difficulty following an abortion. If any of those circumstances apply to you, taking time to genuinely think through how you feel before moving forward is not just valuable; it may matter more than you realize. It’s also important to consider talking with a trusted medical professional about any pre-existing mental health challenges and how abortion could elevate more symptoms, in some cases causing suicidal ideation.
If you have already had an abortion and are working through difficult emotions, Alpha Center offers no-cost after abortion care. You are not alone, and support is available.
Abortion Pill Reversal
If you have taken the first drug in the abortion pill process regimen but are having second thoughts, it may not be too late to continue your pregnancy. Alpha Center offers information on Abortion Pill Reversal (APR).
The Abortion Pill Rescue Network is available 24/7 at 1-877-558-0333 to provide immediate guidance and connect you with a medical provider who can help.
Time is critical, so reach out as soon as possible if this applies to you.
All of Your Options Deserve Consideration
At Alpha Center, our caring team will walk you through your options with genuine care in an environment where you are treated with dignity and respect.
Schedule your consultation online or by calling or texting (605) 361-3500 24/7. We are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm. You can also reach us on our website chatbox any day, any time.
Alpha Center does not provide or refer for abortion services.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.