Tiffany had her whole life planned out. She was going to finish law school, practice law for five years and then meet the perfect guy to marry. After traveling the world together, they would eventually start thinking about having kids.
So,when her “stomach bug” turned out to actually be pregnancy, she was floored. She immediately scheduled an abortion, not realizing that possibly the procedure could have risks.
Tiffany is not alone. According to the CDC, an estimated 45 percent of pregnancies are unintended. If abortion is something you are considering for an unplanned pregnancy, it is best to first know the facts and risks.
What Are the Most Common Abortion Risks?
All abortions may carry risks to your body–though the risk of an abortion procedure may vary according to type of procedure and the length of pregnancy.
One risk that is not often talked about is psychological. A number of women (and men) struggle mentally and emotionally after an abortion with feelings of fear, anxiety, guilt, or depression.
According to Mayo Clinic, abortion can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, which is an infection of the female reproductive organs caused by the spread of bacteria.
In some cases, abortion can cause infertility or trouble having children in the future.
The type of abortion procedure, the provider and the timing of the procedure itself all influence the risks and outcomes.
What Risks Are Specific to Each Type of Abortion?
Medication Abortion
Taking the abortion pill or having an abortion by mifepristone comes with several risks according to Mayo Clinic, including:
- 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
Surgical Abortion
Women who received a surgical abortion commonly reported bleeding, blood clots, cramping, sweating, and feeling faint.
Other risks of surgical abortion according to Mayo Clinic include:
- Bleeding that’s heavy enough that you need to change pads every hour
- Fever
- Cramps lasting more than 48 hours
- Pain that gets worse instead of better
- Foul-smelling discharge from the vagina
- Perforation of the uterus
- Damage to the cervix
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall
- Infection
What Now?
Now that you know some of the risks, you may have more questions about whether or not abortion is the right choice for you. We’re here to help you process your pregnancy and provide the answers you need to move forward.
We can talk through your next steps, and alternative options, and offer pregnancy services free of charge. Please fill out our contact form or give us a call today at (304) 485-7113.