There are serious risks to your health when it comes to any type of abortion procedure. Be aware of what risks and complications to look out for after an abortion to safeguard your health.
Keep reading to learn what risks come with each type of abortion procedure and when you should seek medical attention.
First, Know What to Look For
There are different risks and side effects to look out for, depending on whether you have a medical abortion or a surgical abortion.
Medical Abortion
Medical abortion uses two different drugs to end a pregnancy. This abortion method is FDA-approved through 10 weeks gestation. Some common risks of medical abortion (also known as the abortion pill) include:
- The body not releasing all pregnancy tissue in the uterus, also called an incomplete abortion. This may require surgical treatment.
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work.
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding.
- Infection.
- Fever.
- Digestive symptoms such as upset stomach.
You could feel unwell after taking the abortion drugs and have alarming symptoms. You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience the following:
- Heavy bleeding — soaking two or more pads an hour for two hours in a row.
- Bad pain in the stomach area or pelvis.
- Chills or body aches.
- Fast heart rate.
- Fever that lasts more than four hours or that starts in the days after you take misoprostol.
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
Surgical Abortion
With a surgical abortion, different drugs, surgical tools, and/or suctioning are used. Some common risks associated with a surgical abortion include:
- Incomplete abortion.
- Infection.
- Perforated uterus (this happens when a surgical instrument pokes a hole in the uterus).
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall (this can lead to painful periods or infertility).
- Damage to the cervix.
- Allergic reaction to drugs.
Be sure to look out for signs of complications. Seek immediate medical help if you experience the following:
- Bleeding that’s heavy enough that you need to change pads every hour.
- Lasting dizziness or lightheadedness.
- Fever.
- Cramps lasting more than 48 hours.
- Pain that gets worse instead of better.
- Foul-smelling discharge from the vagina.
Better Safe Than Sorry
Maybe you’re not quite sure how serious a symptom is after an abortion. It’s always better to be safe than sorry and prevent possible complications.
If you still need answers about your pregnancy and confirmation of your options, schedule a free appointment at our center. We can help you begin pregnancy confirmation and offer an options consultation.
You are not alone as you navigate this time.
Life Center does not provide or refer for abortions.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.