Whether you’re considering medical or surgical abortion, there are risks you should know about. These may include heavy bleeding, fever, infection, and incomplete abortion.
Keep reading to learn about the possible risks of abortion so you can make an informed decision.
Abortion Pill Risks
The abortion pill goes by many names – medical abortion, chemical abortion, medication abortion – but follows the same regimen. It consists of two drugs: Mifepristone and Misoprostol.
Mifepristone is normally prescribed and taken at an abortion clinic. It causes fetal demise by blocking progesterone.
Misoprostol is taken hours or days later at home. It causes cramping and contractions to expel the pregnancy. If you’re considering the abortion pill, Mayo Clinic lists the followings risks to be aware of:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- An ongoing unwanted pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
Another risk to be aware of is septic shock, which is fatal in some cases. If you take the abortion pill and experience the following symptoms, seek medical attention immediately:
- Fever
- Severe abdominal pain
- Very heavy bleeding
- Overall feeling of discomfort
- Fainting
Surgical Abortion Risks
There are a few different types of surgical abortion procedures, and the one you choose will depend somewhat on how far along you are. Many of the risks are the same regardless of the procedure.
The following are the risks of surgical abortion:
- Needing another procedure to remove parts of the pregnancy that remain in the womb
- Very heavy bleeding
- Infection
- Septic shock
- Damage to the cervix or womb
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can lead to infertility and ectopic pregnancy
If you experience any of these risks following your surgical abortion, seek immediate medical care.
Before An Abortion
Before scheduling an abortion, it’s essential to get an ultrasound.
Our limited ultrasounds can confirm fetal heartbeat, and will also reveal if your pregnancy is located in the uterus. Pregnancies outside of the uterus, or ectopic pregnancies, require a different medical procedure to address this nonviable pregnancy.
We can also provide an estimate of how far along you are based on the first day of your last period. Abortion procedures will vary based on how far along you are.
Schedule an Appointment
You deserve to get the answers you need before making a serious medical decision. Though our Center does not perform or refer for abortions, we are able to provide accurate abortion education so you can make a confident choice. Contact us at (850) 765-4955 to schedule your appointment today.