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6. Is the procedure safe?
We believe in true informed consent and we want you to know the facts about abortion. Abortion is one of the safest surgical procedures for women; however, every medical procedure has certain risks and possible complications. Despite improvements in the safety of legal abortion over the years, some abortions carry more risk than others due to the length of the pregnancy, the method of abortion, the type of anesthesia, the overall health condition of the woman, and the skill and training of the provider. Abortion risks and complication rates are so low in part because the large majority of procedures are performed early in pregnancy.
In accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) abortion surveillance statistics (counts all deaths associated, not just attributed to abortion, which is more than reported on death certificates), the risk of death associated with abortion is low—approximately 0.7 deaths per 100,000 abortions—and the risk of major complications is less than 1%. For comparison purposes, the risk of death when a pregnancy is continued to birth is about 10 times as great as the risk of death from induced abortion. (Note: The calculation of mortality from childbirth omits deaths from miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy.)
When you first call for an appointment, you will receive some general information on the procedure and its risks as required by Georgia law. Then, prior to the abortion during the personal counseling session, you will have an opportunity discuss and review the informed consent form that details all of the risks of surgery and this particular procedure. You will be required to place your initials at every section to indicate your understanding as well as be given all the time you need to ask questions.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to call one of our phone counselors at 404-728-7900 or
U.S. Toll Free at 1-800-877-6013.