What Are the Risks of Abortion?

Abortion happens in one of two ways: medical (also known as the “abortion pill”) or surgical—and both types of abortion come with unique risks to your health. 

If you’re thinking about abortion, it’s vital to learn all you can to protect your health and make sure you’re making your own decision, free from the coercion of others. (This is critical for protecting your mental health; studies have found that feeling pressured into an abortion is a risk factor for experiencing adverse mental health outcomes afterward.) 

This article will highlight the essentials you need to know regarding the risks of abortion. However, if you’re looking for a safe, non-judgmental space to talk, ask questions, and learn more information, contact us today. All appointments at Baywater Women’s Clinic are confidential and offered at no cost.

Medical Abortion Risks

Medical abortion involves taking two powerful drugs that work together to terminate a pregnancy and expel it from your uterus. 

You will experience vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping after taking these drugs, but you might also face a risk (which is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication.) 

Incomplete abortion is one of the main risks associated with a medical abortion. This is when parts of the terminated pregnancy remain in your uterus, and it can cause a potentially severe infection, heavy and prolonged bleeding, and pain. 

Risks of Surgical Abortion

Surgical abortion is performed in a clinic. During the procedure, your cervix will be dilated so that medical instruments (like strong suction, scraping tools, and forceps) can enter the uterus to terminate and remove the pregnancy.

Risks of a surgical abortion include:

• Uterine perforation (which is when one of the medical instruments pokes a hole in the uterus)
• Uterine scarring (which can cause painful periods and future infertility)
• Cervical damage
• Infection

How Can I Protect My Health Before Seeking an Abortion?

Getting an ultrasound is the number one way to protect your health before seeking an abortion. An ultrasound is a simple scan that will give you the details you need to know about your pregnancy to determine what abortion options are available for your situation. 

Before making any pregnancy decision, contact us today and take advantage of your no-cost ultrasound and Options Consultation to learn more. You’re not alone in this. The decision is yours, but we’re here to walk with you every step of the way.

All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.