Should I choose medical or surgical abortion?

A woman can choose either to have a medical or surgical abortion. However there are reasons why a woman may prefer to have the medical over the surgical method, or why it may be safer for her to have the medical instead of the surgical method:

• The woman prefers not to have surgery
• The woman is obese with a BMI over 30 complicating surgery
• The woman has previously had cervical surgery which can cause surgical abortion complications
• Medical abortion is considered more successful up to 49 days of gestation
• Medical abortion may be a safer option if a woman has a fibroid uterus or if there is presence of abnormalities in the uterus
• Avoiding additional risks associated with surgical abortion

Similarly, it may be more optimal for a woman to choose surgical abortion for the following reasons:

• The woman prefers surgery to medication
• The woman cannot take abortion medication due to allergy or existing prescriptions
• The woman also requires sterilization at the time of abortion
• The woman prefers not to have to have follow-up that is required in the medical method

Losing a Baby:

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• Losing a Baby or Pregnancy Loss
• How do I know if I am at risk of losing a baby?
• Losing a baby through miscarriage
• Losing a baby through stillbirth
• Losing a baby through abortion
• Types of abortion

• Should I choose medical or surgical abortion?
• Abortions through abdominal trauma and miscarriage
• Risks of abortion including first trimester abortions
• What to do after losing a baby
• Support for grieving when losing a baby
• Trying for pregnancy again

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