Be Informed
FAQ: Abortion in Iowa
Is abortion legal in Iowa?
In Iowa the abortion pill is legal up to 10 weeks of pregnancy, and abortion is legal in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy.
What is a surgical abortion?
In a surgical abortion, a suction device is used to remove the fetus 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.
What is the abortion pill?
The Abortion Pill
Although it’s referred to as a pill (singular), the abortion pill actually consists of two medications: mifepristone and misoprostol.
Mifepristone is taken first, usually in a clinic. 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 24-48 hours later at home. This medication causes the uterus to contract and expel the fetus, which ends the pregnancy.
Can I reverse the abortion pill?
If you have only taken the first abortion pill, there is hope to reverse it, but you must act quickly.
Call or text our 24/7 hotline (319) 721-6916 to learn about our Abortion Pill Reversal protocol.
What are the risks of getting an abortion?
While not everyone experiences these risks, it is important to understand potential risks of getting an abortion or taking the abortion pill, in order to make an informed choice.
- Uterine Perforation. Uterine perforation occurs when one of the instruments used in surgical abortion accidentally pokes a hole in the uterus.[1]
- 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]
- 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]
- 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]
- 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].
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). Bacteria can enter the reproductive tract during a surgical abortion, causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).[4]
Get the medical information needed to make an informed and empowered decision for your unplanned pregnancy at Bridgehaven Pregnancy Support Center. We’re happy to answer all of your questions.
Please be aware that Bridgehaven Pregnancy Support Center does not provide or refer for abortion services.
Sources
- U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2020, December 2). Abortion – Surgical. MedlinePlus. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002912.htm
- 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
- 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
- “Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): Symptoms, Treatments and Causes.” Cleveland Clinic, 23 Nov. 2020, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9129-pelvic-inflammatory-disease-pid