Abortion affects every woman differently, though certain side effects and risks accompany each procedure. It’s critical to keep these details in mind if you’re considering abortion and to learn essential steps to take to protect your health.
1st Way will empower you with free information and resources to make a confident pregnancy decision. Schedule a confidential appointment today to begin, and continue reading to learn about the potential physical impacts of abortion.
Physical Effects of Abortion
There are several different abortion procedures, each with its side effects and risks.
The abortion pill uses drugs to end a pregnancy. However, it’s only FDA-approved through 10 weeks gestation, so a surgical abortion is performed after that timeframe. Learning about each method will help you weigh your options.
Medical Abortion
A series of drugs is taken during a medical abortion. Mifepristone is taken first to block a hormone called progesterone. Without it, the pregnancy detaches from the uterine lining and ends.
Next, misoprostol causes the uterus to contract. These contracts expel the pregnancy from the body.
All women will experience abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding when they take abortion drugs, though the severity can vary. However, additional side effects can vary. Here are some that can occur:
- Upset stomach
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Chills
- Diarrhea
- Headache
There are also risks associated with medical abortion. Though they’re not guaranteed, knowing them and watching for warning signs like chills or foul-smelling discharge can help protect your health.
Medical abortion-associated risks include:
- Digestive symptoms (i.e., upset stomach)
- Fever
- Heavy, prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Incomplete abortion (when some of the pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus, potentially requiring surgical treatment)
Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortion procedures involve various medical instruments and methods to end the pregnancy. Ultimately, the procedure type depends on how far along the woman is in her pregnancy.
The most common form of surgical abortion, vacuum aspiration, involves dilating the cervix and using suction to remove the pregnancy from the uterus.
Cramping will occur for a day or two after a vacuum aspiration abortion. The woman will also experience vaginal bleeding for anywhere from 7 to 10 days.
This method is also associated with risks, some of which can be severe. These risks include:
- Perforation of the uterus (accidentally poking a hole in the uterus)
- Damage to the cervix
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall (potentially causing painful periods and infertility)
- Excessive bleeding
- Infection
- Reactions to the drugs or anesthesia (i.e., problems breathing)
- An incomplete abortion (not removing all of the tissue, potentially requiring another procedure)
Before making a pregnancy decision, it’s crucial to get the facts on abortion and all your options. We can help.
Make an Informed Decision
1st Way is committed to your health and well-being. A crucial step in the decision-making process is receiving an ultrasound to confirm your pregnancy and learn information that helps clarify your options.
Please call us at 301-777-1261 to see if you qualify for a free ultrasound performed by one of our registered sonographers. We’ll also supply you with accurate information on all your options.
We’re looking forward to meeting you. Answers are within reach.
1st Way Pregnancy Support Center does not provide or refer for abortions.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.
