Every medical procedure has risks and side effects, including abortion. You owe it to your health and safety to discover what those are before having any procedure.
Whether you are considering a medical or surgical abortion, there are risks you need to know.
The Risks of Medical Abortion
Also known as the abortion pill, a medical abortion uses two drugs taken hours or days apart. The first drug, mifepristone, terminates the pregnancy. The second drug, misoprostol, causes uterine contractions to expel the pregnancy and related tissue from the uterus.
During a medical abortion, you can expect abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding. Other side effects can include nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, diarrhea, and headache.
The risks of a medical abortion procedure include:
- Incomplete abortion (which may need to be followed by a surgical procedure)
- An ongoing pregnancy
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
The Mayo Clinic says medical abortion is not an option for those who cannot make follow-up visits to a provider or do not have access to emergency care.
Surgical Abortion
One type of surgical abortion is a dilation and curettage abortion (D&C). Physicians use surgical instruments or drugs to dilate (open) the cervix and then use a mixture of scraping and suction to remove the pregnancy and related tissue.
The typical side effects of a D&C include mild cramping and spotting or light bleeding. These can last for a few days.
The risks of a surgical abortion procedure include:
- Perforation of the uterus (when a surgical instrument pokes a hole in the uterus)
- Damage to the cervix
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall, also known as Asherman’s syndrome
- Infection
While developing Asherman’s syndrome is rare, it can lead to future miscarriages and infertility. However, surgery may be able to help.
Steps to Protect Your Health
If you think you might be pregnant, your first step is a reliable, medical-grade pregnancy test. Our medical team at Sumter Pregnancy Center can provide one for free.
If your test is positive and you qualify, we may also provide an ultrasound. Ultrasounds use sound waves to determine your pregnancy’s gestational age, viability, and location.
We care about you and your well-being. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.