Like any major medical procedure, an abortion has the possibility of dangerous risks. Knowing what to expect beforehand is essential to understanding when to seek additional care. All abortions involve bleeding and cramping, but how do you know if you are bleeding or cramping too much?
Be prepared by getting factual information from Next Step. Make a no-cost appointment today.
Are There Risks With Abortion?
There are potential risks with a medical and surgical abortion. Which method of abortion you have is determined by how far along you are in your pregnancy.
Risks of Medical Abortion (the abortion pill method)
Experts recommend not using the abortion pill after 9 or 10 weeks of pregnancy. The farther you are in your pregnancy, the less effective this method becomes. Risks include the following:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
Warning Signs of Infection With a Medical Abortion
- Heavy bleeding — soaking two or more pads an hour for two hours
- Severe abdominal or back pain
- Fever lasting more than 24 hours
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
Risks of Surgical Abortion
An abortion provider performs a surgical procedure called Vacuum or Suction Aspiration if your pregnancy is still in the first trimester. Later pregnancies require the use of surgical instruments such as a curette, which is a sharp tool used for scraping. Risks include the following:
- Perforation of the uterus
- Damage to the cervix
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall
- Infection
Warning Signs of Infection With a Medical Abortion
- 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
How Can Next Step Help Me?
Although we do not perform or refer for abortion, we can give you details about each procedure and what side effects to expect. Your health and safety are our first concern. Let us be your next step to getting the information you need to make a confident decision.
Contact us now. We’re here for you.