It’s critical to understand the associated risks of abortion. Like any healthcare procedure, abortion carries certain physical risks and side effects, which can vary depending on the type of abortion performed. Being informed about these risks is key to making a decision that is best for both your health and personal circumstances.
If you’re facing an unexpected pregnancy and unsure what to do next, Choices of the Heart is here to help. We offer free services like pregnancy tests, options counseling, and limited ultrasounds to ensure you are well-supported and informed as you consider your choices. Contact us today.
The Two Types of Abortion
A medical abortion uses drugs to end a pregnancy, is usually done at home, and is performed early in pregnancy.
Surgical abortions use a combination of drugs, surgical instruments, or suction to remove a pregnancy and its related tissue from the uterus. They are performed at a hospital or clinic and later in pregnancy.
Risks of Medical Abortion
During a medical abortion, also referred to as “the abortion pill,” it’s common to experience abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding. Other side effects include nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, diarrhea, and headache.
Medical abortions are only FDA-approved through 10 weeks gestation, so it’s not advised to seek the drugs after this period, as it could cause serious health complications.
The risks involved are:
- Fever
- Infection
- Digestive system discomfort
- Heavy, prolonged bleeding
- Incomplete abortion (which may require a surgical procedure)
- An ongoing pregnancy (if the drugs don’t work)
Risks of Surgical Abortion
The side effects of a surgical abortion are similar but involve different risks, such as infection, uterine perforation, cervical damage, and scar tissue formation on the uterine wall.
It’s possible to get Asherman’s syndrome typically following a surgical abortion procedure. This condition can result in irregular, absent, or painful menstrual cycles and may also increase the risk of future miscarriages and infertility. It may be fixed with further surgical treatment.
Get No-Cost Pregnancy Services
These are only some of the possible risks involved when it comes to abortion. Talk with us at Choices of the Heart to get fully informed about these procedures.
Not only can we give you the facts about abortion you’ll want to know, but we also provide no-cost pregnancy services to get you key details about your pregnancy that will unlock your options moving forward.
Make a confidential appointment with our team. We’re here to support you.
