Abortion… Before You Decide

An unexpected pregnancy can feel really scary and overwhelming. Suddenly, your world has turned upside-down, and you have some big decisions to make in the middle of some pretty big emotions. Abortion, adoption, having and raising the baby – each of your options might seem completely overwhelming at this moment.

Before you decide anything, and no matter how alone you might feel, we want to remind you that you don’t have to do this on your own.

Our staff is available to listen and provide answers to your medical or other questions in a safe, loving environment. We won’t ever tell you what to do. But we’ll give you all the information you need to make an informed decision.

If you’re considering abortion, you probably have some questions.

What are the types of abortion?

There are two basic types of abortion: medical and surgical. Medical abortions are an option fairly early in the pregnancy. These involve taking pills that block the hormones necessary to continue the pregnancy. Surgical abortions are operations that are performed in a doctor’s office or clinic. A local anesthetic is typically offered to reduce pain, however, sedation may also be available.

Medical:

Plan B – Called the “morning-after pill.” It’s classified as an emergency contraceptive and can be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy. This type of pill is designed to prevent the egg and sperm from meeting or the fertilized egg from implanting in the uterine wall, which would cause a very early abortion. However, it won’t end a pregnancy that has attached to the uterus. Plan B doesn’t protect against STDs (sexually transmitted diseases), and it can have some side effects. They may include lower abdominal pain, nausea, headache, and dizziness. Women who experience severe abdominal pain after taking the drug may have an ectopic pregnancy and should seek immediate medical help.

RU486 – Commonly referred to as the abortion pill. It can be taken up to 10 weeks after the last menstrual period (LMP). It’s a three-step process that involves a pill that cuts off the flow of hormones to the uterus and causes the embryo’s death. Followed by a pill that induces cramping to expel the embryo from the body, and then a follow-up examination to confirm that the abortion occurs. There are risks and side effects with this — severe cramping and bleeding, nausea and vomiting, and infection are some of the possible risks and side effects. And some women may still need a surgical abortion to complete the process due to the failure rate of the pill.

Online Abortion Pills – Sometimes referred to as Plan C. Buying and selling abortion pills online is not approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Because they’re outside the FDA procedures and safeguards, there’s no guarantee what these pills actually contain, so you don’t know exactly what you’re taking. Buying abortion pills online or following instructions online for inducing your own abortion with any sort of supplements or medicines is very dangerous — and it may or may not end a pregnancy.

Surgical:

Suction Aspiration – (Up to 14 weeks LMP) This involves stretching the cervix open with dilating rods. It’s usually painful so a local anesthetic is typically injected directly into the cervix beforehand. A vacuum device is then inserted inside the uterus to remove the fetus. Just like with any surgery, there are risks and side effects.

Dilation and Evacuation (D&E) – (15 – 24 weeks LMP) Because this procedure is done later in a pregnancy, sedation is commonly used. The cervix is dilated and forceps are used to help remove the fetus. Because the pregnancy is more advanced and the procedure is more invasive, the risks and side effects increase.

So what are the physical risks?

Any medical or surgical procedure has potential risks. Some risks with abortion include heavy bleeding, cramping, nausea, infection, tissue retention from an incomplete procedure, and an inability to carry future pregnancies in the case of organ damage.

Are there emotional risks?

As with any other major life event, not every woman is affected in the same way. There could be lasting emotional, relational, or mental health effects. Some women connect clinical depression and anxiety, substance use and alcohol abuse, suicidal thoughts or behaviors, and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) to their abortion experience. And scientific evidence indicates that it’s more likely to cause negative psychological outcomes than either miscarriage or carrying an unexpected pregnancy to term. Some research indicates that couples who choose to end their pregnancy go on to have problems in their relationships related to the abortion.

So what’s the first thing to do?

The first step is making sure you’re really pregnant. We can help you with this. We provide complimentary, lab-quality pregnancy testing. And on top of that, we can provide a complimentary ultrasound to confirm if it’s even a viable pregnancy, meaning that it’s located in the uterus and there’s a heartbeat. In addition, it reveals how far along you are which is important to determine the type of abortion procedure you would be looking at.

You might feel like you have to make a decision right this second. Or maybe someone else is pressuring you to make a quick decision. But an important thing to remember is — you don’t have to decide today. It’s OK to take some time and catch your breath, then research all your options, gathering information and making a decision that is best for you. An unexpected pregnancy is a lot to take in, but you don’t have to face this alone. Remember, we’re here for you.

And if you’ve already had an abortion and you’re struggling with emotional or relational issues, we have staff who know what that’s like, who can listen, and direct you to tangible things that may help.

Call us today and schedule a visit at no cost to you.

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How Does Abortion End My Pregnancy?

May 29, 2026

If you’ve recently learned you are pregnant unexpectedly, we understand how overwhelming this might feel right now. If you're considering abortion as an option, taking time to understand how the process works is important so you can make an informed decision. Collage is here to help provide you with confidential support and abortion information at no cost. We offer a safe space, free of judgment, where you can think calmly about your options, receive lab-quality pregnancy testing, and get a complimentary ultrasound so you can get the facts around your pregnancy and learn what options are available to you. Schedule your free appointment today. Medical Abortion Medical abortion, also known as the abortion pill, ends a pregnancy by using two drugs taken at different times. The first pill, mifepristone, works by blocking progesterone and causes the embryo’s death. The second drug, called misoprostol, is usually taken a day or two after and causes the uterus to contract, expelling the pregnancy tissue through cramping and bleeding. Common side effects can include bleeding and cramping, bleeding with blood clots, and a low-grade fever. Medical abortion is only approved through ten weeks of gestation by the FDA . Follow-up care is typically recommended after a medical abortion to make sure the process is complete. Surgical Abortion Surgical abortion terminates a pregnancy in a clinic or medical setting and involves removing pregnancy tissue from the uterus through a suction device or a tool called a curette. This can also be called dilation and evacuation or dilation and curettage . Common side effects of surgical abortions are bleeding and cramps. You may also have a late or early period as your uterus has to build a new lining after the procedure. What Are The Risks Of Abortion? Medical and surgical abortion both have possible risks that you should be aware of. Some women may also experience emotional responses afterward. Complications that can arise from abortion are: Infection. Scar tissue on the uterine wall, known as Asherman's syndrome . Heavy bleeding that may not stop. Diarrhea and digestive pain. An incomplete abortion. Confirm Your Pregnancy With An Ultrasound Before making a pregnancy decision, it is important to verify your pregnancy with an ultrasound. An ultrasound provides important medical details such as how far along you are, the location of the pregnancy, and whether a heartbeat is detected. These details are important since the abortion pill is not FDA-approved for over ten weeks, and it also rules out ectopic pregnancy, which requires urgent medical attention. As many as 26% of all pregnancies end in a miscarriage, and you can still get a positive pregnancy test result for days or weeks after a miscarriage because it takes time for hCG to leave the body. An ultrasound will confirm whether or not you have miscarried. We provide no-cost pregnancy services at our center, including limited OB ultrasounds, so you can get informed about your pregnancy and options. Get Pregnancy Support at College If you're considering your next step after learning you are unexpectedly pregnant, we are here to give you a safe place to ask questions and learn more about your options. Collage provides confidential appointments and no-cost pregnancy services, including medical-grade pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and STD testing . You don’t have to figure this out alone. We are here to listen. Schedule your free confidential appointment to learn more about your options. Collage does not provide or refer for abortions; however, we do offer pre-abortion screening through our no-cost services.

What Are the Side Effects of the Abortion Pill?

April 21, 2026

Facing an unexpected pregnancy brings up a lot of questions, and it makes complete sense that you want to understand every option before deciding anything. If you're considering the abortion pill, knowing what it actually involves, including its side effects, is an important part of making a decision based on the facts. You don't have to sort through this alone. Schedule a no-cost appointment with Collage today to get your questions answered. How the Abortion Pill Works The abortion pill uses two drugs taken in sequence. The first, mifepristone, blocks progesterone, a hormone that supports the growth and development of the pregnancy. Without it, the pregnancy detaches from the uterine lining. The second drug, misoprostol, is typically taken at home and causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy tissue. Heavy bleeding and cramping will be part of this process, and some women have described the pain as more severe than they anticipated. Side Effects to Know Beyond bleeding and cramping, the abortion pill can also cause these side effects : Upset stomach Vomiting Diarrhea Headache Fever Chills These side effects vary from woman to woman, which is one reason having a healthcare provider involved matters. Without medical oversight, it can be difficult to know what's within the range of normal and what requires immediate attention. Your personal health history also plays a role in how your body responds. Speaking with a medical professional before proceeding is an important step in protecting your well-being. Why an Ultrasound Matters First Before considering any pregnancy option, an ultrasound provides information that a pregnancy test simply cannot. It can confirm whether the pregnancy is progressing, rule out an ectopic pregnancy , and tell you how far along you are. The FDA approves the abortion pill only through 10 weeks gestation, making that last detail a critical piece of information for your safety. We're Here for You Whatever you're feeling right now, there’s no pressure here. At Collage, we genuinely care about you and want to make sure you have everything you need to make a sound decision. We offer lab-quality pregnancy testing and limited obstetrical ultrasounds, and our team is ready to talk through all your options, parenting, adoption, and abortion, in a warm, supportive environment. Schedule your no-cost appointment today. We're so glad you reached out. Collage does not provide or refer for abortions; however, we do offer pre-abortion screening through our no-cost services. All abortion information in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.

3 Things to Know if You Are Considering Mail-Order Abortion

March 26, 2026

Facing an unexpected pregnancy can bring a lot of emotions, and often, a sense of urgency to make a decision quickly. You may have seen options online to order abortion pills by mail and wondered if it’s a simple solution. Before making a decision, it’s important to understand how this option could affect your health and what steps you can take to make a fully informed decision. 1. Your Health Should Always Come First Mail-order abortion often skips important medical safeguards. In many cases, there is no in-person evaluation before receiving the drugs. That means key health factors, such as your medical history and potential risks, will not be fully considered. There can also be uncertainty about the source of the drugs, including how they were handled, stored, or dosed. In fact, the FDA does not recommend this option because the drugs’ quality, safety, and effectiveness cannot be guaranteed. Taking time to understand your health first is a smart and proactive way to protect yourself. 2. You Need Clear Answers About Your Pregnancy A pregnancy test alone doesn’t give you the full picture. Before considering abortion, it’s important to confirm details about your pregnancy through an ultrasound. An ultrasound can tell you: How far along are you? Whether the pregnancy is developing (or if you’ve miscarried ) Where the pregnancy is located These details matter more than you might think. Abortion pills are FDA-approved only through 10 weeks of gestation, and without accurate dating, it’s possible to miscalculate how far along you are. An ultrasound can also detect an ectopic pregnancy , which occurs outside the uterus and requires immediate medical attention. Abortion pills will not treat this condition. What’s more, if you’ve experienced a miscarriage, you may require medical follow-up to prevent complications. Getting these details first helps ensure your safety. We offer limited OB ultrasounds following positive lab-quality pregnancy testing with us. 3. It’s Important to Understand the Process and Risks Mail-order abortion may sound straightforward, but it’s important to know what it may actually involve. The process includes significant cramping and bleeding as the body expels the pregnancy, with some women describing the pain as being unexpectedly severe . Other side effects can include: Nausea or vomiting Fever or chills Diarrhea Headaches There are also potential risks , such as heavy bleeding, infection, or an incomplete abortion that may require additional medical care. Without in-person support, it can be difficult to know what’s expected and when something may need medical attention. You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone When everything feels overwhelming, it can help to take a moment to evaluate your next steps and get the information you need. At Collage, we provide no-cost, confidential services so you can ask questions, gather accurate information, and explore your options at your own pace in a one-on-one setting. Schedule your appointment today. Collage does not provide or refer for abortions; however, we do offer pre-abortion screening through our no-cost services. All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.