When considering abortion, it is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of the procedure, including the associated risks. Learning more about abortion risks can help you safeguard your health.
Pee Dee Pregnancy Resource Center provides unbiased information to encourage informed decision-making. Make an appointment to discuss your options today.
The Abortion Pill
Also known as a medical abortion, the abortion pill uses two drugs to terminate and expel the embryo or fetus in early pregnancy. Mifepristone and misoprostol used in the abortion pill method have side effects that include:
- Vaginal bleeding
- Cramping
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Chills
- Diarrhea
- Headache
In addition to these expected side effects, a woman may also experience risks of the abortion pill, which can include:
- Incomplete abortion
- Heavy bleeding that will not stop
- Infection
- Fever
- Diarrhea and digestive pain
- Allergic reaction to the medications
Surgical Abortion
An abortion provider performs a surgical abortion in a clinical setting. This procedure involves the provider dilating a woman’s cervix and removing the embryo or fetus and the surrounding pregnancy tissue with suction and other surgical tools as needed. Commonly women experience localized pain, light cramping, and light bleeding.
Additional risks of surgical abortion procedures can include:
- Uterine perforation (a hole poked through the uterus)
- Uterine infection
- Uterine bleeding
- Asherman’s syndrome (A less common risk of surgical abortion that causes scarring and can lead to infertility and changes in a woman’s period)
Monitoring for Complications
Women experience the effects of the abortion pill at home and will be sent home after a surgical abortion to recover. For this reason, women need to remain vigilant and monitor themselves for complications following an abortion. Signs and symptoms that a woman should reach out for post-abortion medical assistance can include the following:
- Unusual or bad-smelling discharge, the fluid that leaks from your vagina
- Heavy bleeding — soaking two or more pads an hour for two hours
- Severe abdominal or back pain
- Fever lasting more than 24 hours
Explore Your Options
You deserve to have all the facts. Contact Pee Dee Pregnancy Resource Center for more information about abortion and other pregnancy options.