At 4-5 weeks, abortion can be done either by pill or by suction aspiration. You can learn more about abortions by pill here. This page deals with abortions by surgery. Abortions by suction are the usual type of surgical procedure at this time in pregnancy. They are done by first dilating a woman’s cervix , then injecting anesthetic into a woman’s vagina with a needle, then inserting a suction cannula and sucking out the embryo and placenta. then the uterus is scraped to remove any leftover material. Abortion providers call these the “products of conception.” The suction cannula either pulls apart the developing embryo or sucks it out whole, and it dies in the bottle of blood from the abortion.
The risks of an abortion at 4-5 weeks are the same as the risks of an abortion done later in the first trimester.
— Infection
— Damage to the cervix which can lead to later miscarriage
___ Scar tissue in the womb which can prevent a future pregnancy from implanting
—- perforation (cutting) of the uterine wall or cervix which may be mild or severe
—- Depression or guilt stemming from the abortion
See info from studies on abortion’s physical risks and psychological risks here.
An ultrasound is recommended to check whether you have a potentially fatal condition called an ectopic pregnancy. In this type of pregnancy, the baby forms in the fallopian tubes. If you have this condition and you have an abortion, the embryo won’t be removed. Instead, the embryo will continue developing in the tube, which will eventually rupture. This can cause fatal hemorrhaging.
The only way to rule out an ectopic pregnancy is through an ultrasound. If the abortion clinic you call does not provide ultrasounds before their abortions, consider going elsewhere. One place we you can get a free ultrasound is a crisis pregnancy center. Remember, if the abortion clinic does do ultrasounds before abortion, the clinic will charge you, whereas an ultrasound at a crisis pregnancy center is free. You can locate a center here.
These centers are staffed by volunteers who deal with women who have difficult pregnancies and are considering abortion. Some centers, such as CareNet, (US) are religiously affiliated. Birthright centers (international) are not. Either type of center will give you information about abortion either by pill or by surgery, information you may not get in the abortion clinic. Keep in mind that abortion clinics are only in existence because they sell abortions. Even if the staff there is well-meaning, they can only stay in business if they make enough profit. At Planned Parenthood, abortion accounts for one third of their annual income. Freestanding abortion clinics depend on selling abortions in order to stay open. Their doctors and managers get a high salary from abortions. In a way, going to an abortion clinic for advice is like asking a Subaro dealer if you should buy a Subaro or a Ford. Most likely, they will present abortion in a positive light. Sometimes it’s best to get as many perspectives as you can, which is why go to a crisis pregnancy center can be a good option to consider. Crisis pregnancy centers are staffed by volunteers. All of their services are free. They are charities that depend on donations from supporters, not money from those who go there. Therefore, they have no financial interest in the decision you make. Some pro-choice activists have said that pregnancy centers are set up to dissuade women from having abortions. This is only partly true. The women at these clinics are volunteers and some of them do have an anti-abortion mindset. Yet they will respect your decision. Going to a pregnancy centers does not mean you can’t have an abortion later. No one can prevent you from having an abortion if you choose to do so.
The embryo
This is a picture of an embryo at 5 weeks
It is just beginning to take on a human form.
Below is a picture of an embryo at 4 weeks. You can see the developing spine.
Here is some information about how developed these embryos are. This fetal development timeline traces the growth of an embryo from conception onwards.
Day 20 (less than one month): Foundations of the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system are already established
Day 21: The heart begins to beat
Day 28 (4 weeks old) The back bone and muscles are forming. Arms, legs, eyes and ears have begun to show.
Day 30: At 1 month (4 weeks) old , the embryo is 10,000 times larger than the original fertilized egg – and developing rapidly. The heart is pumping increasing quantities of blood through the circulatory system. The placenta forms a unique barrier that keeps the mother’s blood separate while allowing food and oxygen to pass through to the embryo.
Day 35 (5 weeks):5 Fingers can be discerned on the hand. The eyes darken as pigment is produced.
Day 40 (end of 5th week): Brain waves can be detected and recorded
Just because the baby does not look fully human does not mean that it isn’t one. As a matter of fact, referring to the embryo as “it” is inaccurate- sex is determined at conception. Therefore an embryo is already male or female. he or she may not look like a full term baby, but neither does a full term baby look like an adult. As we go through life, our appearance changes.
The decision to have an abortion is ultimately up to you. But keep in mind that abortion destroys a life that has already begun. It stops a heart from beating. It destroys a developing body, the body of the baby. And it can be damaging to your life and health. Even though deaths from surgical abortions this early are extremely rare, an infection can still be serious. Abortions by pill have caused over 14 deaths in the US alone.
Below is a picture of anesthesia being injected after dilation of the cervix. The woman’s legs are blurred out.
if you are pregnant and would like to talk, email me here sarath5775@gmail.com
I had an abortion at 7 weeks on September 4, 2019. Some time has passed, however I feel like my cervix just feels different as if its out of place now. Before it would always feel more high up and centered if i felt inside. Now i feel like its dropped a little and not straight and center if that makes any sense. Any recommendations?? Any ideas? Is it normal for this to happen? If so how can i correct this.
I had an abortion 4 days ago and I’m on my periods…I’m experiencing such horrible abdominal pains. Should I worry?
IF heavy bleeding and pain continue, you should follow up with your doctor. Sometimes in an abortion, some placental or fetal tissue is left behind. If that has happened, you might develop an infection. Take your temperature. If you have or develop a fever, go to urgent care, see a doctor right away, or go to an emergency room. IF you had an abortion by pill, you should get a follow-up ultrasound anyway, the clinic SHOULD have offered one.
please I want to know how to abort my pregnancy. I took the medication yesterday night and I had little crimping and I don’t know whether I’m still pregnant or not
I took a pill to abort but I didn’t have a continued bleeding I only had a day bleeding and I saw something that looks like a big egg and some clotted blood..
Afterwards I took the pills again but still there’s no bleeding those it mean the pregnancy as been aborted or its still there
I am a mother of 5 months old baby and now I am 5 weeks pregnant and I don’t want baby on min gap so planning to do abort is it painful for 5 weeks
I was only 4 weeks pregnant, I’m not gonna lie to you; it was so painful
Thank you for the pictures in this article. Where may I get such pictures/videos suitable for sharing on facebook?
I impregnated a married woman…pls I don’t wanna destroy her marriage by letting her husband know..the pregnancy is just three weeks…we wanna abort the child but I am scared cos I don’t want the woman to die..I need ur advise ..thank u
Call me me 9910240484 urgent
I’m a teacher and he’s an accountant. we 29 and 32 respectively but he said i should abort our baby because he is not financially sound sound to take responsibility but i told him i wont because i dont know what will happen tomorrow. As i write now he sent me some money to get rid of the child but i didn’t. i have decided to use the money to open an account for my child and will make sure i tell my child everything when he or she grows up.
It’s sad that you people are giving false information. All of the images here are of embryos that at 6 weeks and 7 weeks. At 3 weeks the blastocyst is still burrowing in the uterus. Stop lying to people. Ironically these “religious people” are lying to you all.
the pictures on this site are calculated by fetal age. If you are counting by the woman’s last period, the pictures would be less developed. It makes sense to calculate by fetal age because it’s the fetus/baby that is being destroyed.
I’m 20 years old and 4 weeks pregnant. My boyfriend made it clear that he doesn’t want anything to do with the baby in as much as I wanted to keep the baby. And now my only option is abortion since I will be bringing an unwanted baby.
I’m so confused cause my heart I’d at war with what decision I should take.
keep your baby dear….I am A month old from abortion and already feel like I shouldnt have had one…please I pray keep your baby
please keep your baby.
Abortions by pill are usually NOT painful and absolutely nothing to worry about, complications are rare at this stage and I was surprised at how it felt it was honestly like a normal period cramping but heavier. It is YOUR CHOICE if you want one and it does not make you a bad person. Life begins when you’re born, people who are enforcing the idea of it already being a viable human are just trying to guilt anyone into not getting one. At five weeks it is the size of a sesame seed. Really. I have had an abortion and feel absolutely no shame in it. It is far more ethical than to bring life into the world when it is not wanted or can’t be looked after or will suffer. Anti abortionists are so cruel and mentally unwell, really really deluded.
Considering the many lovely people that I have had the privilege of knowing in my life who were unwanted and abused as children yet still love being alive today, I find you last statement to be disingenuish and blatantly self serving. Considering the billions who live in substandard conditions or with bad families, of which very few actually commit suicide, it seems that the vast majority of us, when faced with a choice of a life of hardship or nonexistence, chose the former. I have attached the story of a dear personal friend of mine, who survived a childhood of neglect and abuse, was raped at 15, and courageously made an adoption placement for her baby. She lives a life of joy, purpose, and meaning today. http://grtl.org/?q=elizabeth-reed Ask yourself whether or not she is cruel or mentally deluded to believe in the value not only of her life, but the life of her unborn child.
Hey Sarah … I had an abortion a few days ago after being 4 weeks pregnant … I feel like it wasn’t successful as the following night of the abortion I didn’t bleed much and only passed one Big clot.. not much cramps .. and the next day I didn’t have much bleeding .. and the following days I could wear panty liners rather than pads .. I had upset stomach and lost of appetite.. during the pregnancy I had a large appetite but for the past few days it’s gone … I went back to the doc yesterday and explained to him why I don’t think it worked and he insterted another pill in me .. I’m bleeding again but I’m only seeing small clots like what I normally see on my period … what are the chances that it actually worked ?
you must go through ultrasonography of abdomen ..whether its gone or not
If your abortion by pill was not overly painful, you are a very rare (and lucky) exception. This site has the stories of over 40 women who tell of horrible pain and massive bleeding after taking it.
I have 5 week pregnancy but few days ago I had done pelvis X-ray two time, What should I do? What is better suggestion for mine? may I abortion it?
Plz don’t do abortion..ur baby is a gift of god…Wish! I could be a mother…I had an abortion before four months due to unembroinic baby…so sad…
So plz keep ur baby…god gave u that gift n he will take care of it..don’t worry…
Have healthy food…n don’t get stress…
Good luck…
I am currently five weeks pregnant. I was really happy about becoming a mom when I first found out. But my significant other has been so selfish. We are suppose to be saving money for essentials for the pregnancy and he spent the money on alcohol and cigarettes. And when I confront him with this. He gets defensive and brings up how I spend money on food. I am pregnant. I spend my money on gas vitamins and groceries. This whole thing has made me second guess this pregnancy. I don’t know if abortion is right for me. But I don’t want to do this alone. And I feel like I will end up providing for me and my baby all alone. I’m just so depressed. And i feel hopeless. I don’t know what to do.
You are not alone. There are many resources–forums, clinics, doctors, nurses, people who have been through pregnancy–who can be there for you in this time and after. Please consider all of your options. Please reach out to people to discuss.
You are not alone.
These article has forgotten to mention that the actual risk of carrying a pregnancy to term is much greater than abortion–this is a religious scare tactic designed to limit women’s freedom of choice.
woow this is incredible….thx for showing this Sarah….u’re truly saving lives through theses pictures….i think someone will think twice before deciding to have an abortion…God bless u…
Please advice