As with any kind of medical procedure, an abortion exposes women to physical and even emotional side effects. Understanding the side effects and risks associated with an abortion allows you to make a confident decision regarding your unplanned pregnancy.
Take a minute to learn about the different types of abortion available and the health complications to prepare for.
Medical Abortion
Women seeking to terminate a pregnancy have two options: medical or surgical abortion.
Medical abortions are designed to terminate pregnancies that are between 1 and 10 weeks gestation. Known commonly as the abortion pill, a medical abortion uses the drugs mifepristone and misoprostol to stop a pregnancy from growing and then expel the tissue from the uterus.
Side effects reported from ingesting these drugs include abdominal pain, back pain, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, and nausea or vomiting.
Because some women may experience severe reactions to these medications, it’s important to only begin a medical abortion under the supervision of a doctor. Buying the abortion pill online increases a woman’s risk for serious side effects and future health complications.
Surgical Abortion
If you are more than 10 weeks pregnant, you will likely be referred for a surgical abortion. As the name implies, a surgical abortion uses surgical instruments to open the cervix and remove a pregnancy. Depending on how old your pregnancy is, a suction tool may be used or traditional forceps.
After a surgical abortion, you might experience abdominal cramping and light to heavy bleeding.
What Are The Risks of Abortion?
Serious risks following an abortion are rare, but you deserve to know all the facts before scheduling the procedure.
Risks involved in a medical abortion include incomplete abortion, prolonged bleeding, fever, and sepsis.
Women who undergo a surgical abortion risk perforation of the uterus, damage to their cervix, or scar tissue on the uterine wall. All of these complications can cause future fertility issues for women hoping for another pregnancy.
Exploring Your Options
If you’re uncomfortable with the risks of an abortion, you do have other options.
Crisis Pregnancy Center offers no-cost medical services and education to women experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. Schedule an appointment today to learn about your options and make a plan for the future.
We are a safe place to begin this journey.