How To Get Rid Of Pregnancy Without Using Abortion Pills?
Written By Kirti Gaggar
Medically Reviewed By Dr. Sarah Momin, MBBS, D.G.O, Medical Registration No: 2019/04/2373
22 July 2025
2 mins
If you've decided that an abortion is the correct choice for you, there are better options other than finding natural ways of abortion. There is no proof that any non-medical method will work and will not cause fatal and life-threatening outcomes for you. Natural abortion methods are therefore generally not recommended and are mostly not grounded in any science. Medical abortion through abortion pills, or surgical methods of abortion allow you to go through the process under the supervision of a trained and qualified medical procedure making it extremely safe for you.
What are the different types of abortions?
There are medical and surgical abortions available, and some differences between the different types of abortions include:
Medical abortion
In this you are required to take abortion pills either by consuming them or having them dissolved in your vagina or inner cheek.
Surgical abortion
It is a suction-based medical procedure performed by a doctor.1
A medical abortion is possible usually up to 9-11 weeks of pregnancy. Usually, a doctor will determine if a woman is no longer eligible for a medical abortion if she is 9-11 weeks into her pregnancy.2 Aspiration abortions are possible for women up to 14-16 weeks of pregnancy, whereas D&E abortions are usually performed at 16 weeks or later. Both of these types of surgical abortion have been explained below.3
Aspiration abortion
The pregnancy is eliminated using suction after a tube is put into the womb through the cervix (the entrance to the womb from the vagina). Most women go home a few hours after vacuum aspiration, which takes around 5 to 10 minutes.
Dilatation and evacuation (D&E)
To terminate the pregnancy, special equipment called forceps are inserted through the cervix and into the womb. The procedure is usually done under sedation or general anaesthesia. It usually just takes 10 to 20 minutes, and you can generally return home the same day.4
Where can I get a surgical abortion?
How early you can get an abortion depends upon where you go. In some places, you can have it as soon as a pregnancy test is positive. Other doctors or nurses will advise you to wait 5-6 weeks after the first day of your last period.
How late you can get an abortion depends on the laws and the doctor, and the clinic. It could be harder to find a doctor who will perform an abortion after the 12th week of pregnancy, so plan your abortion as soon as possible.
Why do people choose surgical abortions?
The kind of abortion you choose depends entirely on your personal preference and situation. Some people prefer surgical abortion because they want to have their procedure performed at a hospital, where nurses, doctors, and trained support staff will be present the entire time.
Surgical abortions are also far faster than abortion pills: most surgical abortions take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete, whereas medical abortion can take up to 24 hours.
Your doctor will help you decide which kind of abortion is the best for you.
What are the possible risks of having an abortion?
Abortion in a clinic is common and is one of the safest medical procedures available. Abortions are risk-free compared to other gynaecological procedures performed. The risk of challenges increases the later you get the abortion and sedation, and if you use sedation or general anaesthesia.
Some of the serious complications that can happen are:
The abortion does not work, and the pregnancy does not end
Some of the pregnancy tissue is left in your uterus(retained products of conception inside uterus )
Blood clots in your uterus
Very heavy bleeding
Infection
Injury to your cervix, uterus or other organs
Allergic reaction to a medication
Does an abortion hurt?
Abortion feels different for everyone; it can be extremely painful or slightly uncomfortable. Your level of discomfort can vary depending on the medications you take, how far along you are in your pregnancy, and how much cramping and pain you experience. Most people describe it as having strong period pains.
Your doctors and nurses will do everything to make your abortion as comfortable as possible. You will be given pain and numbing medications and sedation if necessary.
You may experience some cramping after your abortion and definitely want to rest for a bit afterwards, but most people feel fine the next day.
Does abortion have any long-term side effects?
Surgical abortions are common and effective, and millions of people have had them safely.
There is no risk to your future pregnancies or overall health unless a rare and serious complication is untreated. Abortion does not increase your risk of breast cancer or affect your fertility. It does not cause future pregnancy complications such as birth defects, premature birth or low birth weight, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, or infant death.
There are many myths about the effects of abortion. Your nurse or doctor can provide you with accurate information about the risks and side effects of surgical abortions.
How effective are surgical abortions?
Abortions performed in a clinic are very effective. They work more than 99 times out of 100. The need to get a repeat procedure because the abortion did not work is quite rare.6
You can have some side effects immediately after the treatment and also during the recovery phase. Common surgical abortion side effects include bleeding, like blood clots, nausea, vomiting, sweating, faintness, and cramps after using the abortion pill.
How effective are surgical abortions?
Surgical abortions are extremely effective as they work more than 99 times out of 100. Incomplete abortion or requiring a repeat procedure since the abortion did not work is quite uncommon.5
You may encounter certain side effects right after the treatment and during the recovery phase. Bleeding including blood clots, nausea, vomiting, sweating, faintness and cramps after taking abortion pill are all common surgical abortion side effects.
When should I contact a doctor?
You should contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:
Fever
Vaginal discharge with a foul odour
Passing huge blood clots for almost two hours
Heavy bleeding that requires you to change your pad twice in one hour for two hours straight
Pain or cramping that worsens rather than improves, particularly after 48 hours
Symptoms of pregnancy that last more than a week 6
Your health comes first. Always choose medically-approved abortion methods under expert care. You can speak to a gynaecologist anytime on the Pinky Promise app.
References
1 - Abortion Home Remedies Aren’t Worth the Risk, But You Still Have Options; From Healthline
(https://www.healthline.com/health/abortion-home-remedy). Retrieved on 06.06.2022
2 - The Abortion Pill; From Planned Parenthood
(https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/abortion/the-abortion-pill). Retrieved on 02.08.2022
3, 5 - In-Clinic Abortion; From Planned Parenthood
(https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/abortion/in-clinic-abortion-procedures). Retrieved on 06.06.2022
4 - What Happens - Abortion; From NHS
(https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/abortion/what-happens/). Retrieved on 06.06.2022
6 - Surgical Abortion; From Healthline
(https://www.healthline.com/health/surgical-abortion). Retrieved on 06.06.2022
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