Abortion

Abortion is the only option that ends a pregnancy. After you have confirmed your pregnancy with an ultrasound and reviewed essential information, it’s important to learn about abortion procedures, risks, and side effects to make an educated choice.

Cleburne Pregnancy Center provides free options information so you can consider each and decide what’s best for your unique situation.

Is Abortion Legal in Texas?

Abortion is illegal in Texas except in certain cases when the pregnant woman’s life or health is at risk. This means that you must travel out of state for an abortion procedure.

Although abortion is illegal, it’s vital to note that women are not held criminally or civilly liable for seeking one.

Texas does not require public or private insurance companies to cover abortion-related costs. This means you would pay for the procedure out-of-pocket.

If you are still considering the procedure, it’s important to note its risks and side effects so you can make a decision that prioritizes your health.

Types of Abortion Procedures

Learning about the different types of abortion procedures, including their side effects and risks, will help you make a confident decision.

Medical Abortion

Medical abortion uses drugs to terminate an early pregnancy. This abortion method is FDA-approved through 10 weeks of pregnancy.

The first drug, mifepristone, blocks progesterone. Progesterone is needed for the pregnancy to grow and develop, so without it, the pregnancy will detach and end.

The second drug, misoprostol, causes uterine contractions that expel the pregnancy from the body. When a woman takes abortion drugs, she will experience abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding.

Other side effects can occur, including:

Headache
Diarrhea
Nausea
Vomiting
Fever
Chills

Taking abortion drugs can also pose risks to your health, including:

Digestive symptoms (i.e., upset stomach)
Fever
Infection
Heavy, prolonged bleeding
An ongoing pregnancy (if the procedure doesn’t work)
An incomplete abortion (this occurs when the body doesn’t release all the tissue in the uterus), which may require surgical treatment

Surgical Abortion

Surgical abortion procedures can use surgical tools, medication, and suctioning to end the pregnancy. The type of procedure you have depends on several key details, including how far along you are.

Following the procedure, a woman can have mild cramping and light vaginal bleeding for several days. However, it’s vital to know that surgical abortion-related risks can be severe and include:

Infection
Scar tissue on the uterine wall
Damage to the cervix
Perforation of the uterus (which happens when a surgical instrument pokes a hole in the uterus)

Your Health is the Priority

If you are considering abortion, you should discuss your health history with a medical provider and determine whether you are eligible for an abortion procedure.

We also encourage you to take several pre-abortion screening safety steps before deciding:

Taking a medical-grade pregnancy test
Having an ultrasound to confirm your pregnancy
Undergoing STI testing (and treatment if needed)
Discussing your options

After completing these steps, you will have the information needed to make a thoughtful decision that considers your overall health. We’ll provide unbiased information about all your options.

This is your pregnancy. We provide nonjudgmental, pressure-free services so you can take charge of your future.

Schedule a free and confidential appointment today.

Cleburne Pregnancy Center does not provide or refer for abortions.