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Abortion

Considering Abortion in Pennsylvania? Get the Facts First!

If you’re considering abortion in Pennsylvania, you deserve accurate medical education to make the best decision for your situation. The compassionate medical professionals at Expectations Women's Center provide free resources to help you understand all your options and next steps.

A woman considering her options in Pennsylvania
A woman smiling after her appointment at Expectations Women's Center

Step 1: Confirm Your Pregnancy

Before considering abortion, it’s essential to confirm your pregnancy and determine how far along you are. Expectations Women's Center offers:

  • Free medical-grade pregnancy tests – Get accurate results you can trust

Free ultrasounds – Determine gestational age and confirm proper uterine development

A woman smiling after her appointment at Expectations Women's Center

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
Learn More About Abortion Pill
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A woman wondering about surgical abortion procedures

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
Learn More About Surgical Abortion
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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
A woman considering abortion risks and complications
Abortion Risks and Complications to Consider

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 fertility

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
Abortion Risks and Complications to Consider

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
Two women discussing the Long-Term Health Considerations
A woman searching for Abortion Education in Williamsport and Lewisburg, PA

Abortion Education in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and Lewisburg, Pennsylvania

Making decisions about pregnancy requires accurate, comprehensive medical education. At Expectations Women's Center, our experienced medical team provides:

  • Free pregnancy testing
  • Pregnancy confirmation and dating ultrasounds
  • Pregnancy options education
  • Compassionate, judgment-free support

Give us a call at 570-523-6872 or make an appointment online today.

Make an Appointment

*Please note: We do not provide extended OB/GYN or prenatal care, birth control prescriptions or devices, fertility testing, abortion services, or referrals for abortion or STI/STD testing.

A woman searching for Abortion Education in Williamsport and Lewisburg, PA

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does abortion cost in Pennsylvania?

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 Pennsylvania?

Currently, abortion is legal in Pennsylvania through the 24th week of pregnancy. Exceptions can be made if the health of the pregnant woman is in danger.

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

  1. U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2024, October 15). Abortion – Surgical. MedlinePlus. 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. 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. Mayo Clinic. (2022, April 30). Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20352594
  6. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, (2016). Mifeprex Medication Guide. https://www.fda.gov/media/72923/download 
  7. 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. 
  8. American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists. (2019). Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/pelvic-inflammatory-disease 
  9. 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. 
  10. 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.
  11. 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. 
  12. 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 
  13. 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/