You deserve the facts about all pregnancy options, including abortion. Abortion is a medical decision with short-term and long-term implications. Make an informed decision before moving forward.
Charis Center doesn’t provide or refer for abortions. But we’ll supply you with the information needed to understand abortion procedures, their risks, and side effects.
The Abortion Pill (Medical Abortion)
The abortion pill (also called medical abortion) actually consists of two drugs that end a pregnancy. Mifepristone blocks progesterone, and misoprostol causes uterine contractions that expel the pregnancy and associated tissue from the body.
The FDA has approved the use of mifepristone through 10 weeks gestation.
Taking abortion pill drugs will result in abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding, which range from mild to severe. You may also have these side effects:
- Nausea (with or without vomiting)
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Chills
Risks can occur with this abortion method. Knowing about them is crucial:
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
- Heavy, prolonged bleeding
- Incomplete abortion (which may require surgical treatment)
- An ongoing pregnancy (if the drugs don’t work)
Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortion is performed later in pregnancy and uses surgical tools, drugs, and/or suctioning. As with abortion pill drugs, you’ll have abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding with this abortion method.
The risks of surgical abortion can be severe. They include:
- Infection
- Uterine perforation (a surgical tool pokes a hole in the uterus)
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall
- Damage to the cervix
Informed Consent in Oklahoma
Abortion is illegal in Oklahoma unless a provider determines it’s necessary to save the woman’s life.
No one can force you to have an abortion against your will.
If you feel threatened or pressured into having an abortion you don’t want, you have the right to contact any local or state law enforcement agency to receive protection, whether you were threatened or actually suffered from physical abuse or violence.
Additionally, an abortion facility cannot legally perform, induce, prescribe, or refer you for an abortion without your voluntary and informed consent. By law, every abortion facility must post a sign that provides this information for patients.
The Abortion Facility Must Also Provide You With The Following Information At Least 72 Hours Before An Abortion:
- The name of the physician who will perform the abortion. Confirm that he or she is a licensed physician and a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist.
- The medical risks associated with the particular abortion procedure to be employed
- The probable gestational age of the unborn child at the time the abortion is to be performed
- The medical risks associated with carrying your child to term, availability of free ultrasound imaging, and heart tone monitoring facilities
- Medical assistance benefits may be available for prenatal care, childbirth, and neonatal care
- The father is liable to assist in the support of your child
- You have the option to review printed materials provided by the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision, which include a Resource directory and Information Booklet
We’re Here For You
Charis Center provides no-cost, confidential information on all pregnancy options, including abortion. We’ll supply the information you need.
And if you’ve taken mifepristone and regret your decision, it may not be too late to continue your pregnancy. Charis Center provides Abortion Pill Reversal (APR), which consists of administering progesterone to counteract the effects of this first abortion drug.
Time is of the essence with APR; reach out to us as soon as possible. For more information on APR, please visit the Abortion Pill Rescue Network.
Contact us today to make an appointment.