All procedures carry some level of risk, and abortion is no exception. If you’re facing an unexpected pregnancy and considering abortion, learning about the risks associated with each method is crucial.
Next Step Pregnancy Decision and Support Services is here as you learn about your pregnancy options. Make a free appointment to learn more.
What is a Risk?
A health risk is the “chance or likelihood that something will harm or otherwise affect your health.” While a risk doesn’t mean you’ll experience these adverse effects, it’s possible.
Understanding the health risks of abortion will help you make a decision that considers your well-being and future.
Medical Abortion
Medical abortion is one method to end a pregnancy. It is FDA-approved through 10 weeks gestation.
Taking abortion drugs causes abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding, but the procedure is also associated with health risks you should know. These risks include:
- Digestive symptoms (i.e., upset stomach)
- Fever
- Infection
- Heavy, prolonged bleeding
- Incomplete abortion (the body does not release all pregnancy tissue, which may need surgical treatment)
If a woman is not eligible for a medical abortion, she may have a surgical abortion procedure.
Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortion uses a combination of drugs, surgical instruments, or suctioning to end a pregnancy. This procedure causes mild cramping and spotting or light bleeding that can last several days.
Risks associated with surgical abortion include:
- Perforation of the uterus (this occurs when a surgical tool pokes a hole in the uterus)
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall (which can result in painful periods and infertility)
- Damage to the cervix
- Infection
Though abortion-related risks don’t always occur, you deserve to learn everything you can about these procedures as you weigh options. We’ll help you gain clarity.
Free and Confidential Services
Are you facing an unexpected pregnancy? Next Step Pregnancy Decision and Support Services will help you confirm your pregnancy with a lab-quality pregnancy test and ultrasound.
Next, we’ll discuss your options, including abortion, during a pregnancy options counseling session. It’s your decision to make—-we’ll answer your questions as you decide what’s best for your life and future.
Schedule a free and confidential appointment today.
Next Step Pregnancy Decision and Support Services does not provide or refer for abortions.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.