With the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade, abortion and pregnancy-related healthcare has been top of mind for women. If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy, abortion availability may especially be top of mind for you.
Guidance from Health and Human Services states that medical professionals must do everything possible to save a woman’s life from pregnancy-related medical conditions, such as ectopic pregnancy, complications of pregnancy loss, and severe preeclampsia.
In states restricting abortion access, health provisions allow abortions when the physician deems it necessary to save the mother’s life. These exemptions to abortion mean that women should always have access to emergency medical treatment, especially if related to their pregnancy.
Read this article for more information regarding common pregnancy complications such as miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies and what care is available for these conditions.
Is Treatment for an Ectopic Pregnancy the Same as an Abortion?
According to Dr. Patricia Santiago Munoz, M.D., “Ectopic pregnancy treatment is not the same as abortion.”
Ectopic pregnancy is where an embryo implants and grows outside the uterus, usually within a fallopian tube. Delayed treatment for an ectopic pregnancy can put the woman’s life at risk due to rupture and heavy bleeding.
Since an ectopic pregnancy is an embryo implanted outside the uterus, doctors treat them with methotrexate or surgical intervention. The medication and procedures differ from those typically used to terminate an intrauterine pregnancy.
Is Treatment for a Miscarriage the Same as an Abortion?
The difference between a miscarriage and an abortion is that the miscarriage ends the pregnancy independently, while an elective abortion intentionally terminates a pregnancy. However, the medications are sometimes the same in cases of treatment.
For miscarriages, a physician uses medication to help expel the fetus and pregnancy remnants from the body to prevent infection. In contrast, an abortion provider first terminates the ongoing pregnancy and then expels the fetus and tissues.
In medical terms, a further distinction between the two refers to a miscarriage as spontaneous abortion, which is different than an elective abortion.
What Abortion Access Is Available in Illinois?
In our state, abortion is legal up to viability, which means the fetus can survive outside the womb. After the point of viability, abortion is only allowed if the woman’s life or health is at risk.
Next Steps
At our clinic, we offer no-cost pregnancy services such as pregnancy tests and ultrasounds.
Knowing the age of the pregnancy can affect your eligibility for a medication abortion, which is FDA-approved up to 10 weeks of gestational age.
We also provide no-cost Options Consultations where you can ask questions and learn about your local options and resources in a safe, confidential space.
Contact us today to make an appointment!
