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Considering Abortion in Illinois? 

If you’re considering an abortion in Illinois, you’re not alone. The caring team of medical professionals at We Care Pregnancy Clinic is here to support you in making an informed decision as you consider your next steps.

Confirm Your Pregnancy

The first step in exploring your pregnancy options is to confirm your pregnancy. We Care Pregnancy Clinic offers free medical-grade pregnancy tests and ultrasounds to determine how far along you are and whether the pregnancy is developing correctly inside the uterus.

This information will be necessary for you as you consider your options going forward.

Be Informed About Abortion Procedures & Risks

What is Surgical Abortion and How Does it Work?

In a surgical abortion, a suction device is used to remove the embryo or fetus from the uterus through the vagina. This procedure is performed at an abortion clinic and you are sent home the same day. However, if complications arise, you may need to go to the emergency room to receive treatment. 

How Does the Abortion Pill Work?

Although it’s referred to as a pill (singular), the abortion pill actually consists of two medications: mifepristone and misoprostol. Mifepristone is taken first. It cuts the supply of the hormone progesterone to the embryo, which is needed to maintain the pregnancy. Without a steady supply of progesterone, the embryo stops growing and eventually dies. Misoprostol is taken 24-48 hours later. This medication causes the uterus to contract and expel the embryo, which ends the pregnancy.

What are the Risks of Abortion?

Abortion comes with a number of risks that it’s important to be aware of. If you’re thinking about having an abortion, educating yourself about the procedure is crucial. Knowing what to expect can help you make a more informed decision.  These include:

Incomplete Abortion

An incomplete abortion occurs when not all of the fetal tissue is successfully removed. This can happen during a surgical abortion, but it is more commonly seen with the abortion pill. A surgical procedure may be necessary to remove any retained tissue in order to prevent infection or stop any bleeding [1].

Failed Abortion

A failed abortion refers to a situation where the abortion pill regimen does not result in the termination of the pregnancy, meaning the pregnancy remains intact with a live baby. In cases of a failed abortion, some women may choose to continue their pregnancies. Additionally, a surgical abortion is often performed to address an incomplete or failed abortion.[2].  

Infection

Inserting instruments or leaving fetal tissue behind can result in infection. In rare cases, this can lead to a total body infection called sepsis, which can be life-threatening. A pelvic infection can result in scarring of the pelvic organs, potentially causing future complications such as infertility and an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy.[3][4][5].

Negative Impact on Future Pregnancy

Studies have shown a link between surgical abortion and an increased risk of premature birth and low birth weight in future pregnancies[6][7][8][9][10].

Hemorrhage

1 out of 100 women who use the abortion pill up to 10 weeks LMP need a surgical procedure to stop the bleeding[11]. 

Organ Damage

The cervix and/or uterus may be cut, torn, or punctured by instruments. This may cause excessive bleeding and require surgical repair. If the uterus is punctured, the bowel and bladder may be injured. The risk of these types of complications increases with the length of the pregnancy[12].

Get Tested for STIs

It’s crucial to get tested for STIs regularly, as many don’t have obvious symptoms. Additionally, STIs can increase your risk of developing a post-abortive infection[13]. 

 

It’s crucial to thoroughly understand a medical procedure before making your choice—knowledge empowers you to make the best decision for your health.  Our team of registered nurses are ready to provide the facts and options available to you.  Find the non-judgemental care and information you deserve at We Care Pregnancy Clinic. 

Give us a call at (815) 748-4242 or schedule your appointment online today.

Schedule Your Appointment

Please be aware that We Care Pregnancy Clinic does not provide or refer for abortion services. 

Sources

  1. U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2020, December 2). Abortion – Surgical. MedlinePlus. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002912.htm 
  2. American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists. (2020). Medication abortion up to 70 days of gestation. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 136(4), 855-858. doi:10.1097/ aog.0000000000004083. Retrieved from https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-bulletin/articles/2020/10/medication-abortion-up-to-70-days-of-gestation#
  3. Stevenson MM, Radcliffe KW. Preventing pelvic infection after abortion. Int J STD AIDS. 1995 Sep-Oct;6(5):305-12. doi: 10.1177/095646249500600501. PMID: 8547409. 
  4. Bridwell RE, Long B, Montrief T, Gottlieb M. Post-abortion Complications: A Narrative Review for Emergency Clinicians. West J Emerg Med. 2022 Oct 23;23(6):919-925. doi: 10.5811/ westjem.2022.8.57929. PMID: 36409940; PMCID: PMC9683756.    
  5. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). Mayo Clinic. (2022, April 30). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20352594
  6. American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists. (2019). Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Retrieved June 14, 2023. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/pelvic-inflammatory-disease 
  7. Swingle, H. M., Colaizy, T. T., Zimmerman, M. B., Morriss, F. H. (2009). Abortion and the risk of subsequent preterm birth: A systematic review with meta-analyses. The Journal of Reproductive Medicine, 54(2), 95–108. 
  8. Shah, P. S., Zao, J. (2009). Induced termination of pregnancy and low birthweight and preterm birth: A systematic review and meta-analyses. British Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 116(11), 1425–42. doi: 10.1111/j.1471- 0528.2009.02278.x.
  9. Moreau, C., Kaminski, M., Ancel, P.Y., Bouyer, J., et al (2005). Previous induced abortions and the risk of very preterm delivery: Results of the EPIPAGE study. Br J Obstet Gynaecol,5,112(4):430–37. 
  10. Ancel, P.Y., Lelong, N., Papiernik, E., Saurel-Cubizolles, M.J., Kaminski, M (2004). History of induced abortion as a risk factor for preterm birth in European countries: Results 
  11. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, (2016). Mifeprex TM medication guide. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/media/72923/download 
  12. Paul, E. S. Lichtenberg, L. Borgatta, D. A. Grimes, P. G. Stubblefield, & M. D. Creinin (Eds.), 2009. Medical abortion in early pregnancy in Management of unintended and abnormal pregnancy: Comprehensive abortion care (pp.122-29). Chichester, UK: Wiley-Blackwell. 

Carlsson, I., Breding, K., & Larsson, P.-G. (2018, September 25). Complications related to induced abortion: a combined retrospective and longitudinal follow-up study. U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6156848/