Abortion Risk Assessment

Terminating a pregnancy is not a decision to be made lightly. What are the risks?

Abortion Risk Assessment

Terminating a pregnancy is not a decision to be made lightly. What are the risks?

Surgical Abortion Side-Effects

If you’re considering an in-clinic abortion, it’s important that you know – like all surgical procedures – they carry with them a certain degree of risk.

Before scheduling an abortion, it’s important to educate yourself on the side-effects and results of this procedure.

Some of the risks often associated with a surgical abortion are:

  • Pelvic infection
  • Incomplete abortion
  • Blog clots in the uterus
  • Heavy bleeding
  • Cut or torn cervix
  • Perforation of the uterus wall
  • Anesthesia-related complications
  • Rh Immune Globulin Therapy

Learn more about the risks of an abortion procedure here.

Still have questions?

Contact our offices to speak with our professional medical staff today. We’re ready to discuss your options with you – confidentially and free of judgment.

Dr. Eric Hazelrigg, Medical Director

In 2000, Dr. Hazelrigg founded Comprehensive Women’s Healthcare with the goal of providing a personalized approach to medicine. He considers it a privilege and honor to be involved in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology, serving the needs of women and their babies.

Dr. Hazelrigg and his wife Sandra have four children, two of whom they adopted from the Amazon region of Brazil.

Education

  • University of California, San Diego (1982-1985)
  • University of Southern California – Medical School (1986-1990)
  • Phoenix Integrated Residency of OB/GYN (1990-1994)

Board Certification

  • Diplomat, American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Michelle Tussing, Director of Medical Services

Michelle has over 30 years of experience in Nursing and has served as Choices Medical Services Director for more than 10 of them. She loves interacting with our clients and staff and has a huge heart for women and men who are facing an unintended pregnancy. She also loves spending time with her family and grandchildren.

Education

  • El Camino College — A.A. Nursing/Registered Nurse (1985)
  • Registry Prep Now – Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (2010)
  • Grand Canyon University – B.S.N. (2015)

Abortion Pill Side-Effects

Side effects of the Abortion Pill – otherwise known as Mifeprex RU486 or Mifepristone may include:

  • Cramping
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting and diarrhea
  • Heavy bleeding w/ large clots
  • Stomach pain
  • Fatigue
  • Mild fever or chills

Abortion Pill Side-Effects

Side effects of the Abortion Pill – otherwise known as Mifeprex RU486 or Mifepristone may include:

  • Cramping
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting and diarrhea
  • Heavy bleeding w/ large clots
  • Stomach pain
  • Fatigue
  • Mild fever or chills

Before taking the Abortion Pill, you should be fully aware of the risks by learning more here.

The Abortion Pill can be especially dangerous if the pregnancy is Ectopic (a pregnancy in which the fertilized eggs implants outside the walls of the uterus).

These types of pregnancies are always high-risk and are not resolved with the Abortion Pill. Left unresolved, these pregnancies can result in serious illness or death to the mother.

Ectopic pregnancies are typically found with an ultrasound, but in the case of a medical abortion, no ultrasound is required and the ectopic pregnancy may go unnoticed.

Abortion Pill Reversal

If you’ve taken the Abortion Pill but have changed your mind about terminating the pregnancy, an Abortion Pill Reversal may be able to help you.

You can learn more about abortion pill reversal here.

Common FAQ’s

The Abortion Pill is a synthetic steroid called Mifeprex RU486 or Mifepristone. It comes in generic tablet form.

Mifepristone is used for the medical termination of a pregnancy and can be taken up to 10 weeks from the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP) of pregnancy.

A typical Abortion Pill dose comes with 2 steps:

The first step is a does of Mifepristone followed 24-48 hours later by a dose of Misoprostol.

The Abortion Pill works by blocking the progesterone receptors in your body.

When you become pregnant, progesterone is responsible for building up your uterine lining and preparing your body to carry a viable pregnancy.

Mifepristone blocks the natural progression of progesterone in your body, causing the lining of your uterus to shed.

The second dose of Misoprostol causes your uterus to contract, expelling the contents of your uterus, thereby ending the pregnancy.

The Abortion Pill is a very common way to administer abortion in America, but there are a number of side effects and dangers to be aware of.

Side effects may include:

  • Cramping
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting and diarrhea
  • Heavy bleeding w/ large clots
  • Stomach pain
  • Fatigue
  • Mild fever or chills

Before taking the Abortion Pill, you should be fully aware of the risks by learning more here.

The Abortion Pill can be especially dangerous if the pregnancy is Ectopic (a pregnancy in which the fertilized eggs implants outside the walls of the uterus).

These types of pregnancies are always high-risk and are not resolved with the Abortion Pill. Left unresolved, these pregnancies can result in serious illness or death to the mother.

Ectopic pregnancies are typically found with an ultrasound, but in the case of a medical abortion, no ultrasound is required and the ectopic pregnancy may go unnoticed.

You can learn more about Ectopic pregnancies here.

If you have taken the Abortion Pill and want to reverse the effects, Abortion Pill Reversal is a proven method of success.

Abortion Pill Reversal works by flooding your body with a fresh dose of progesterone, often negating the effects of Mifepristone and resulting in a continuation of the pregnancy.

Learn more about Abortion Pill Reversal here.

If you’ve already taken the abortion pill and are having second thoughts, contact us as soon as possible:

Schedule a Pregnancy Test

Unseen Side-Effects

Every year in the United States over 1.2 million women have an abortion. Often times people do not recognize that this decision might affect their emotional health, sometimes years later. Post Abortion Syndrome (PAS) is used to define the stress or trauma reaction that some women and men experience after an abortion.

Unseen Side-Effects

Every year in the United States over 1.2 million women have an abortion. Often times people do not recognize that this decision might affect their emotional health, sometimes years later. Post Abortion Syndrome (PAS) is used to define the stress or trauma reaction that some women and men experience after an abortion.

Research shows that:

  • 92% Experience an emotional numbing and a need to stuff their feelings
  • 86% Feel an increased tendency toward anger or rage
  • 48% Reported they became violent when angered
  • 75% Report less self-confidence
  • 57% Express difficulty in maintaining or developing relationships
  • 56% Experience suicidal feelings (28% attempted suicide)
  • 39% Reported eating disorders began after the abortion

PASS can also include guilt, avoidance behaviors, reduced motivation, sexual disorders, and sleep disorders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Emotional side effects can be experienced by anyone who has had an abortion, regardless of the circumstances that surrounded it. They are real and will require time and help to work through and move past:

  • Guilt
  • Shame
  • Anger
  • Regret
  • Feelings of isolation
  • Difficulties within relationships
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Suicidal thoughts or feelings

If you have had an abortion and are experiencing any of the emotional effects listed above, we encourage you to participate in post-abortion counseling by contacting us at hope@choicesaz.com.

Post-abortion counseling provides a safe and compassionate space for you to reflect on your abortion experience and find healing from it. We will work through the emotional impact your abortion has had on you and discover tangible ways for you to find freedom.

To receive post-abortion counseling, contact us at hope@choicesaz.com.

Post-abortion counseling is a free and confidential resource. We offer this at no cost so that you can find the healing you need without worrying about your financial circumstances.

If you are suffering from any of the emotional side effects of abortion, schedule your appointment for post-abortion counseling with us at hope@choicesaz.com.

Is Abortion Affecting My Life?

Take the quiz to find out if abortion may be affecting your life in ways you can’t yet understand.

  • Do you tend to look at your life in terms of “before” and “after” the abortion? Has your self-concept changed?
  • Do you find yourself struggling to ignore the feelings connected to your abortion?
  • Do you find yourself involved in unhealthy relationships or self-destructive behaviors?
  • Have you experienced any prolonged times of depression or sucidial thoughts since your abortion?
  • Are you using/abusing alcohol or drugs to numb your feelings?

If you have answered yes to any of these questions, it may be time to chat with someone – contact us at hope@choicesaz.com.

Chat with a Specialist or Book a Free Consultation

Start Your Healing Journey

If you or someone you know is struggling with unwanted feelings after an abortion, we offer free, confidential, compassionate support.

We offer two types of counseling sessions: support groups and one-on-one counseling. Our support groups last for approximately 1 and 1/2 hours on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month. You can join when you’re ready and close-out your journey when you’re ready. For one-on-one counseling, you will meet with a facilitator for two sessions each week.

Together we will share stories, process feelings, complete therapeutic exercises, and unpack the pain. Some of the topics we may discuss include:

  • Feelings of anxiety and depression
  • Telling a partner about an abortion
  • Self-loathing and self-esteem issues
  • Motherhood after an abortion
  • Parenting after an abortion
  • Destructive behaviors (including substance abuse)
  • Relationship issues (including destructive relationships)
  • Trauma
  • Reconciliation
  • Forgiveness and grace

For more information, contact us at hope@choicesaz.com.

Glendale

Serving the Northwest valley.
10555 N. 58th Drive
Glendale, AZ  85302

Monday: 9 am – 5 pm
Tuesday: 9 am – 7 pm
Wednesday: 9 am – 5 pm
Thursday: 9 am – 7 pm
Friday: 9 am – 5 pm
Saturday: 9 am – 1 pm

Mesa

Serving the East valley.
3155 E. Southern Ave. 2nd Floor
Mesa, AZ 85204

Monday: 9 am – 5 pm
Tuesday: 9 am – 7 pm
Wednesday: 9 am – 5 pm
Thursday: 9 am – 5 pm
Friday: Closed
Saturday: Closed

Phoenix

Serving Central Phoenix

1907 W. Camelback Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85015

Monday: 9 am – 5 pm
Tuesday: 9 am – 7 pm
Wednesday: 9 am – 5 pm
Thursday: 9 am – 7 pm
Friday: 9 am – 5 pm
Saturday: 9 am – 1 pm
Wednesday: 9 am – 1 pm