If you’re considering abortion, it helps to start with clear, factual information from someone who isn’t trying to sell you anything. Abortion is a medical decision, and you deserve to understand how it works, what it involves, and what your options are before you move forward.
Horizon does not perform or refer for abortions. What we can do is talk with you, answer your questions, and give you the space to think things through without pressure. Understanding your pregnancy and your choices can help you feel more confident in your decision.
The Facts About Abortion
Before anything else, it helps to confirm two things: that you’re pregnant and how far along you are. Home tests aren’t always accurate, so a medical-grade test and a limited ultrasound can give you a clearer picture. How far along you are affects which options may be available to you.
Abortion is currently banned in the state of Texas except to preserve the life of the mother. This does not affect care for miscarriage or ectopic pregnancies. A woman who obtains an abortion cannot be held criminally or civilly liable under Texas law. It is also illegal to ship abortion inducing drugs into the state of Texas.
A free appointment at our center is a no-pressure place to confirm your pregnancy and get accurate answers.
Two Types of Abortion Procedures
There are two main kinds of abortion, and the right information depends on which one you’re asking about.
A medical abortion, also referred to as the abortion pill, uses two drugs to end a pregnancy. It’s a two-step process: the first drug, mifepristone, blocks a hormone called progesterone that the pregnancy needs to continue, and the second drug, misoprostol, causes the uterus to contract and empty. The FDA has only approved the abortion pill up to 10 weeks gestation. Cramping and bleeding are typically part of the process, and the intensity can vary from one woman to the next. Some women also experience nausea, vomiting, or fever.
A surgical abortion is a procedure done in a clinical setting, using suction or medical instruments to end the pregnancy. The specific method depends on how far along the pregnancy is.
Understand the Risks
Like any medical procedure, abortion carries risks, and you have the right to be fully informed of them before you consent to anything.
Possible risks of the abortion pill include heavy bleeding, infection, or an incomplete abortion that may require additional treatment. The likelihood of complications can depend on the method and the stage of the pregnancy. For many women, there can be emotional effects as well, which is something worth considering alongside the physical ones.
You don’t have to sort through all of this on your own. Our advocates and nurses can talk through your questions in a calm, confidential setting, so you have the facts you need.
*Abortion is illegal in Texas except in cases of life endangerment, but women cannot be held criminally or civilly liable for seeking one.
