Compassionate Pregnancy Termination Services

Deciding whether or not to have a pregnancy termination can be emotionally intense.  An unplanned pregnancy can lead a person to face some big issues about life, relationships, personal values and goals, and the what the future might hold.  No matter what you decide, facing an unplanned pregnancy can present intense feelings and Thrive is here support and guide you on whatever decision is best for you.  You have many options and sometimes going over all those options with a trusted friend, your partner or a Thrive Team Member can help you clarify your direction and which decision is best for you.

If you have decided to end a pregnancy, you’re not alone. Approximately 1 in 4 women will decide to terminate a pregnancy by the age of 45.  Thrive Wellness Center respects and supports your decision.  Your Thrive Team is proud of you for making the best choice for you. The stigma surrounding pregnancy termination might leave you feeling a bit nervous about your decision and what to expect. The emotions you are feeling are completely normal and we’re here to help you through this experience. You’re in good hands!  

TERMINATION OPTIONS 

There are two common, very safe methods for terminating a pregnancy: a medication abortion and an in-office procedure.   

The medication abortion is a combination oral medication called Mifepristone and Misoprostol which can be given up to 70 days from the first day of the last menstrual period. Medical abortions are very effective and very safe especially when medications are used during early pregnancy.  Success rates vary depending on gestational weeks: at eight weeks pregnant or less, a medical abortion is 94% to 98% effective, at eight to nine weeks pregnant, it is 94% to 96% effective and at nine to 10 weeks pregnant, it is 91% to 93% effective.

An in-office procedure, commonly called a surgical abortion, is performed by our experienced, compassionate physician providers.  Office termination is available up to 12 weeks from the first day of the last menstrual period. This procedure is performed under local anesthesia and utilizes a soft suction curette to gently remove the pregnancy from the uterus.  If needed, pain and anti-anxiety medications can be given during the procedure as well.  Having a support person present is encouraged or one of our staff members can be there to support with coaching, acupressure and aroma therapy. Recovery from a surgical abortion is usually just a couple of days with minimal post-procedure discomfort or bleeding.

Each option is effective and comes with its own benefits. When you schedule your consultation, you can learn more about your options so you can make the decision that’s right for you. Prepare a list of all your questions for our providers and staff.  We will go over your all your questions and explain the procedure step by step.

What Is Medication Abortion? 

Unlike emergency contraception which is given to prevent a pregnancy, medication abortion pills are used when a person is already pregnant. They are extremely safe FDA-approved medications and are an effective way to end a pregnancy. 

Not everyone is a good candidate for a medication abortion. Currently, medication abortion is approved for use up to 10 weeks of gestational age but for this option we recommend taking the medication much earlier to reduce discomfort and risk of complications.

How Do Abortion Pills Work? 

A medication abortion consists of two sets of pills called mifepristone and misoprostol.  

Mifepristone is the first pill.  It blocks your body’s progesterone which is the hormone needed for a pregnancy to grow. The second set of pills called misoprostol are taken 24-48 hours later.  These pills cause cramping and bleeding to make the uterus to pass the pregnancy.

The onset of misoprostol is pretty quick.  Within 1-4 hours of taking misoprostol, you will experience a very heavy and crampy period that may include large blood clots or clumps of tissue. The process is very similar to an early miscarriage. The heaviest bleeding usually happens the day you take the misoprostol, but irregular, period-like bleeding can persist for a few weeks after the termination.

How Effective Are Medication Abortions? 

Medication abortions are effective in up to 99% of unplanned pregnancies. In rare cases, more medications or an in-office procedure may be needed to complete the process.

Some people prefer to undergo a surgical abortion to avoid the cramping and bleeding or need for additional procedures, while other people prefer a medical abortion to avoid having a procedure and allow the body to pass the pregnancy in a more natural way.  If you are unsure about which procedure is best for you, please reach out to a Thrive Team Member for assistance.

To learn more about the abortion pill in this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8dbmh7N2IY

EMOTIONS AFTER A PREGNANCY TERMINATION

Most people report feeling relief after a terminating an unplanned pregnancy, but may also feel confusion, empowerment, sadness, resolution, guilt, happiness, or a combination of all those feelings. Many clients share that they feel confident about their decision and also feeling sad about having an abortion – it is completely normal to feel both ways at the same time. Honor your own feelings and allow yourself the freedom to have big feelings as you would after any major life event or big decision.

Even though pregnancy termination is very common, it can be hard to talk about, especially because of all the political, religious, and cultural stigma involved. If you want to talk to someone before or after an abortion, an amazing resource is All-Options Talk Line at 1-888-493-0092 to speak with a counselor or schedule a time to chat with a Thrive provider.  Or check out https://www.all-options.org/ for more information.

A Personal Message From Dr. Pine

As a young medical school graduate in 1970,  prior to the 1973 Roe v. Wade U.S. Supreme Court  decision,  I personally witnessed the heartbreaking aftermath of patients who had no other choice but to turn to dangerous, illegal abortions.   This was certainly a dark time where pregnant people endured medical abuse, permanent injury and even lost their lives at the hands of unskilled abortion practitioners.  Patients simply did not have the choice for or access to have safe, sterile, legal procedures perfomed by compassionate, trained professionals.

The results of this dark time in reproductive health care, the increasing numbers of maternal injuries and deaths, is how the right to choose became so important in 1973.  It became so obvious, so clear that individuals and families deserved the right to make their own choices about when and how they wanted to plan their families, that they deserved access to safe medical care that could be life saving and allow them to lead happy and productive lives based on the choices they made that were good for them.

The reversal of Roe v. Wade and the consequences of removing reproductive freedom takes us right back to the dark ages of reproductive healthcare.  

People need and deserve to have reproductive choices.  This is a basic human right! 

I can express this in many ways but I will just say that I have never felt more strongly about any issue and how it has affected my practice of medicine and my ability to live in a free country providing care that is both safe and legal. 

As a physician, a friend, a brother, a husband, and a father, I will do all within my power to make sure that people will always have choices about their reproductive health and access to safe and compassionate care.   

yours truly,

Dr. Pine