COMPARISON OF EARLY ABORTION OPTIONS

Abortion Pill / Medication Abortion with Mifepristone & Misoprostol	The Abortion Procedure Aspiration (Suction or Vacuum)
1. How far along in the pregnancy can I be?
Up to 9 weeks from the first day of your last period.	Up to 12 weeks from the first day of your last period.
2. What will happen?
The abortion takes place at home. • In the office, you will swallow the abortion pill (mifepristone). Most women feel fine after taking mifepristone. • At home, 6-72 hours later, you use the misoprostol pills. • The abortion usually starts 1-4 hours after you take the misoprostol. You will have heavy bleeding and cramps for a couple of hours. • You return to the office about 1 week later.	The abortion takes place in the office. • The actual abortion procedure takes 5 to 10 minutes. • The doctor will put special instruments in your vagina and uterus to remove the pregnancy. • Your provider may suggest a follow-up visit
3. How painful is it?
Women have mild to very strong cramps off and on during the abortion. Pain pills help.	Women have mild to very strong cramps during the abortion. Pain pills help.
4. How much will I bleed?
Heavy bleeding with clots is common during the abortion. After that, lighter bleeding may continue on and off for 1-2 weeks or more.	Most women have light bleeding for 1-7 days. Bleeding may continue off and on for a few weeks.
5. How much does it cost?
For both types of abortion, the exact cost depends on where you go.
6. Can the abortion fail?
The pills work 98-99% of the time. If the pills fail, you must have an aspiration abortion.	It works 99% of the time. If it fails, you must have a repeat aspiration.
7. Can I still have children afterwards?
YES. Neither type of abortion lowers your chances of getting pregnant or staying pregnant in the future.
8. Is it safe?
Both pills have been used safely for over 10 years. Big problems are rare. Medication abortion is at least 10 times safer than continuing a pregnancy.	Aspiration abortion has been done safely for over 25 years. Abortion in the first 12 weeks leads to very few problems, and is at least 10 times safer than continuing a pregnancy.
9. What are the advantages?
• You won’t have shots, anesthesia, or instruments in your body • It may seem more natural, like a miscarriage. • It can be done earlier in the pregnancy than an aspiration abortion. • Being at home instead of in an office may be more private. • You can choose to have someone with you, or you can be alone.	• It is over in a few minutes. • It works 99% of the time. • You see less bleeding than you would with a medication abortion. • Medical staff are with you during the abortion. • It can be done later in the pregnancy than a medication abortion.
10. What are the disadvantages?
• It takes 1-2 days to complete the abortion. • It is not the same for all women. • Bleeding can be very heavy and may last longer than with an aspiration abortion. • Cramps can be severe and last longer than with an aspiration abortion. • It cannot be done as late in pregnancy as an aspiration abortion. • It cannot end a tubal pregnancy.	• A medical provider must insert instruments inside the uterus. • Anesthetics & pain medicines may cause side effects. • The woman has less control over the abortion procedure and who is with her. • The vacuum aspirator may seem noisy. • It cannot be done as early in pregnancy as a medication abortion. • It cannot end a tubal pregnancy.