With such a serious medical procedure as abortion comes serious risks to consider. Some common physical risks may include incomplete abortion or infection. When doing a home abortion with the abortion pill method, it’s even more important to understand the risks and signs of complications related to abortion affect, since you would be responsible for monitoring your health.
In this blog, we explain how an abortion may affect you physically and how to confirm your pregnancy to safeguard your health.
Medical vs. Surgical Abortion
The two types of abortions are done at different points of pregnancy: medical and surgical abortion. Each comes with its own physical risks.
1. Medical Abortion
With medical abortion (also known as the abortion pill), you take mifepristone and misoprostol. Medical abortion terminates an existing pregnancy, with common risks including 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
When taking the abortion pill at home, signs and symptoms that require medical attention after taking each medication are:
- 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
2. Surgical Abortion
A surgical abortion procedure typically involves dilating (opening) the cervix (which leads to the uterus) and using a suction instrument to remove the pregnancy from the uterus. Each type of surgical abortion procedure comes with similar risks, including:
- Damage to the womb or cervix
- Uterine perforation (accidentally putting a hole in the uterus with one of the instruments used)
- Excessive bleeding
- Infection of the uterus or fallopian tubes
- Scarring of the inside of the uterus
- Reaction to the medicines or anesthesia, such as problems breathing
- Not removing all of the tissue requires another procedure
Get Abortion Information
If you are considering abortion, we are here to help discuss your options with you. First, confirm your pregnancy with free and confidential pregnancy testing and an ultrasound at our center. An ultrasound is essential to learn how far along you are and be aware of potential complications. We don’t perform or refer for abortions at Hopeline, but we can help you by providing you with the education you need to make an informed decision.
Schedule an appointment today to meet with a professional and discuss your options. You are not alone.