Make an Informed Decision with Comprehensive Abortion Information
If you’re considering abortion in Tennessee, you deserve accurate medical information to make the best decision for your situation. The compassionate medical professionals at Choices Resource Center provide free resources to help you understand all your options and next steps.
Step 1: Confirm Your Pregnancy
Before considering abortion, it’s essential to confirm your pregnancy and determine how far along you are. Choices Resource Center offers:
- Free medical-grade pregnancy tests – Get accurate results you can trust
- Free ultrasounds – Determine gestational age and confirm proper uterine development
Having accurate pregnancy information is crucial for making an informed choice about your next steps.
Step 2: Understand Abortion Types and Risks
The Abortion Pill (Medication Abortion)
The abortion pill involves two separate medications taken over several days:
Mifepristone (First Medication):
- Blocks the hormone progesterone needed to maintain pregnancy
- Causes the embryo to stop growing
- Taken at the medical facility under supervision
Misoprostol (Second Medication):
- Taken 24-48 hours after mifepristone
- Causes uterine contractions to expel pregnancy tissue
- Usually taken at home
- Most effective up to 10 weeks of pregnancy
Surgical Abortion Procedures
Aspiration/Suction Abortion:
- Most common surgical abortion method
- Uses suction device to remove embryo or fetus through the vagina
- Performed at abortion clinic as outpatient procedure
- Typically completed the same day
Abortion Risks and Complications to Consider
Understanding potential risks helps you make a fully informed decision about abortion procedures.
Common Complications and Risks
Incomplete Abortion[1]:
- Failure to remove all fetal tissue completely
- More common with abortion pill than surgical procedures
- May require additional surgical intervention to prevent infection or bleeding
- Occurs in approximately 2-7% of medication abortions
Failed Abortion[2]:
- Pregnancy continues despite abortion attempt
- More common with medication abortion
- May require surgical procedure to complete abortion
- Some women choose to continue pregnancy when this occurs
Infection Risk[3][4][5]:
- Can result from instrument insertion or retained tissue
- May develop into serious pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Severe cases can lead to sepsis (life-threatening body-wide infection)
- Can cause scarring that impacts future fertilityn
Hemorrhage (Heavy Bleeding)[6]:
- Approximately 1 in 100 women using abortion pill require surgical intervention for bleeding
- May require emergency medical treatment
- Can be life-threatening if not treated promptly
Physical Injury[7]:
- Risk of cervical or uterine damage from surgical instruments
- Rare but serious complications include organ puncture
- Risk increases with later gestational age
- May require surgical repair
Long-Term Health Considerations
Impact on Future Pregnancies[8][9][10][11][12]:
- Research indicates increased risk of preterm birth in subsequent pregnancies
- Studies show potential link to low birth weight in future babies
- Risk may be higher with multiple abortions
- Discuss personal risk factors with healthcare provider
Step 3: Get Tested for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
STI testing is crucial before any abortion procedure because:
- Many STIs have no obvious symptoms
- Untreated STIs significantly increase infection risk after an abortion[13]
- It protects your overall reproductive health
Choices Resource Center provides free, confidential STD testing and treatment to ensure your safety and health.
Abortion Information in Oak Ridge, Tennessee
Making decisions about pregnancy requires accurate, comprehensive medical information. At Choices Resource Center, our experienced medical team provides:
- Free pregnancy testing and ultrasounds
- Detailed information about all pregnancy options
- STD testing and treatment
- Compassionate, judgment-free support
Give us a call at (865) 483-0098 or make an appointment online today.
Please note: Choices Resource Center provides medical information and pregnancy services but does not perform or refer for abortion procedures. We are committed to ensuring you have complete, medically accurate information to make the best decision for your circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions About Abortion
How much does abortion cost in Tennessee?
Abortion costs vary based on procedure type, gestational age, and location. Additional costs may or may not include required consultations, testing, and follow-up care.
What are the abortion laws in Tennessee?
Currently, abortion is illegal in Tennessee. However, exceptions can be made to save the life of the mother. Additionally, women who receive abortions will not be prosecuted under Tennessee law.[14]
When should I seek emergency medical care after abortion?
Go to the emergency room immediately if you experience:
- Fever above 101°F (38.3°C)
- Heavy bleeding (soaking more than 2 pads per hour for 2+ consecutive hours)
- Severe abdominal or pelvic pain
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Signs of allergic reaction
- Persistent nausea or vomiting
Sources
-
- U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2024, October 15). Abortion – Surgical. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002912.htm
- 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. https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-bulletin/articles/2020/10/medication-abortion-up-to-70-days-of-gestation#
- 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.
- 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.
- Mayo Clinic. (2022, April 30). Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20352594
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, (2016). Mifeprex Medication Guide. https://www.fda.gov/media/72923/download
- 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.
- American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists. (2019). Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/pelvic-inflammatory-disease
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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/
- Tennessee General Assembly. (2022, June). Human Life Protection Act. https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB1029&GA=111