Abortion in Georgia
If you’re considering abortion in Georgia, you may have questions! The compassionate team of medical professionals at CORE Healthcare for Women of Central Georgia is here to help you make an informed and empowered decision!
What is Surgical Abortion and How Does it Work?
In a surgical abortion, a suction device is used to remove the embryo 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. This medication 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. Misoprostol is taken afterwards, often 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?
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Uterine Perforation. Uterine perforation occurs when one of the instruments used in surgical abortion accidentally pokes a hole in the uterus[1].
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Incomplete Abortion. The procedure may not successfully remove all of the fetal tissue. This can occur due to surgical abortion or the abortion pill. Emergency medical treatment may be required to prevent infection[1].
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Asherman Syndrome. Asherman Syndrome is a condition in which scar tissue forms inside the uterus. This can occur as a result of multiple surgical abortions, making it difficult to become pregnant in the future[2].
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Negative Impact on Future Pregnancies. Studies have shown a link between surgical abortion and an increased risk of premature birth and low birth weight in future pregnancies[2].
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Allergic Reaction. Although rare, it is possible to go into anaphylactic shock after taking vaginal misoprostol if you’re allergic to any ingredients in the medication[3].
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Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). Bacteria can enter the reproductive tract during a surgical abortion, causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)[4].
Get the unbiased medical information needed to make an informed decision for your unplanned pregnancy at CORE Healthcare for Women of Central Georgia. We’re happy to answer your questions!
Abortion Information in Central GA
Our compassionate team is ready to serve you. Take a pre-abortion assessment or learn about unplanned pregnancy options at our clinic. Get the facts you need and the care you deserve at CORE Healthcare for Women of Central Georgia!
Call (478) 333-5000 to schedule an appointment or click to text our team.
Confirm Your Pregnancy
Be Informed
Get Lab Testing
1. Confirm your pregnancy.
The first step after finding out you're pregnant is to have your pregnancy confirmed. CORE Healthcare for Women provides pregnancy testing and ultrasound to help you determine how far along you are in your pregnancy and whether or not the pregnancy is developing properly inside the uterus. How far along you are is part of determining if you are eligible for an abortion. Or, if a viable pregnancy cannot be confirmed, you may be require additional medical care for a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.
Having this information will inform your abortion options going forward.
Call (478) 333-5000 to schedule an appointment or click to text our team.
2. Be informed about your options.
Next, be informed about the pregnancy options you are considering. There are different types of abortion and they each may have associated risks. Talk to a medical professional about what's offered in the state of Georgia.
Call (478) 333-5000 to schedule an appointment or click to text our team.
Georgia Abortion Law
We offer education regarding Georgia abortion law using information provided by the Georgia Department of Public Health Women's Right to Know booklet.
3. Get recommended lab testing.
Based on your medical assessment, additional testing may be recommended. It is crucial to get tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as they often do not have obvious symptoms. Having an STI during a procedure like abortion may increase your risk of vaginal infection.
We also provide hemoglobin and hematocrit (H&H) testing to evaluate your blood count. Patients with results outside normal ranges may be at higher risk of excessive or extended bleeding during an abortion procedure.
Call (478) 333-5000 to schedule an appointment or click to text our team.
SOURCES
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U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2020, December 2). Abortion - Surgical. MedlinePlus. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002912.htm
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Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022, August 3). Elective Abortion: Does it Affect Subsequent Pregnancies? Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/expert-answers/abortion/faq-20058551
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Shin, Hyun Joo, et al. “Anaphylactic Shock to Vaginal Misoprostol: A Rare Adverse Reaction to a Frequently Used Drug.” PubMed Central (PMC), 9 Aug. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6137020
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“Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): Symptoms, Treatments and Causes.” Cleveland Clinic, 23 Nov. 2020, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9129-pelvic-inflammatory-disease-pid
SERVICES DISCLAIMER
We do not provide extended OB/GYN or pre-natal care, birth control prescriptions or devices, fertility testing, abortion services, or referrals for abortion.