If you’re considering abortion, it’s essential to learn all you can about how it may affect you physically to ensure you’re making an informed, safe decision.
Read on to learn more about how abortion might affect you. Or, if you want to talk to someone in person about your pregnancy options, contact Mosaic Sexual Health Clinic today to connect with one of our caring staff members.
Physical Risks of Abortion
There are two main types of abortion—medical and surgical—and each type comes with unique risks, which are rare but serious complications.
Medical Abortion
Medical abortion, also known as the “abortion pill,” involves a combination of two powerful drugs that work together to terminate a pregnancy and force it from the uterus via uterine contractions.
After taking the abortion drugs, you experience vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping—and some women have reported that the pain was unexpectedly severe.
However, you might also experience the following risks:
- Incomplete abortion (which is when parts of the terminated pregnancy remain in your uterus)
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
Your likelihood of experiencing one of these risks is more significant if your pregnancy is further than 10 weeks gestation.
Surgical Abortion
Abortion providers perform surgical abortions in a clinical setting, and it involves dilating (opening) your cervix so that medical instruments can enter your uterus to terminate and remove the pregnancy.
Physical risks of surgical abortion include:
- Uterine or cervical damage or scarring
- Infection
- Perforation (poking a hole) of the uterus
How Can I Protect My Health Before an Abortion?
The best way to protect your health before an abortion is to get an ultrasound first. Ultrasound is a simple scan that will tell you your pregnancy’s age, location, and viability, which are all critical pieces of information to know to determine your eligibility for specific abortion procedures.
At Mosaic Sexual Health Clinic, we offer free, limited ultrasounds to give you the information you need to know to stay safe. Before seeking an abortion, contact our office to schedule your free, confidential ultrasound appointment.
You’re not alone in this. We’re here for you.
*At our clinic, we do not perform or refer for abortions, but we are committed to being an affordable first step so that you can receive the information and clarity you need before such a big decision.
*All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.”