Abortion is a procedure that carries certain risks, and it’s crucial to know them before making a pregnancy decision. Understanding the risks of both medical abortion and surgical abortion can help you decide what’s best for your health and future.
Oasis Women’s Services will help you learn about the side effects and risks of abortion procedures. By arming yourself with the facts, you can make an educated choice.
Schedule a no-cost, confidential appointment today, and continue reading to learn more about abortion-related risks.
What You Should Know
Abortion is the only option that ends a pregnancy. Medical abortion uses drugs to end a pregnancy through 10 weeks gestation, while surgical abortion uses suctioning and/or surgical tools.
Medical Abortion
During a medical abortion, you will take mifepristone and misoprostol. Taking these abortion drugs will cause abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding, which can be painful. However, the experience is unique to each woman.
However, risks can occur, including:
- Fever
- Digestive symptoms (i.e., upset stomach)
- Infection
- Heavy, prolonged bleeding
- An ongoing pregnancy (if the drugs don’t work)
- An incomplete abortion (which occurs when some of the pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus) which may require surgical treatment
Surgical Abortion
A surgical abortion can be performed later in pregnancy than a medical abortion. The provider will use dilation, suctioning, and/or surgical tools to end the pregnancy.
The procedure’s complexity and type depend on your gestational age. It will be more involved if you are further along.
After a surgical abortion, you may have light spotting or bleeding and mild cramping for several days. However, serious risks can occur, including:
- Infection
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall
- Damage to the cervix
- Uterine perforation (which happens when a surgical instrument pokes a hole in the uterus)
Get the Information You Need Before Deciding
It’s crucial to learn about your pregnancy before making a decision. Whether you’re leaning toward abortion, adoption, or parenting, you should know whether your pregnancy is progressing, its location, and how far along you are.
If you receive a positive pregnancy testing result with us, our medical staff may provide a limited obstetrical ultrasound. Learn this information and clarify your options to safeguard your health.
Schedule a no-cost, confidential appointment today. We’re here for you.
Oasis Women’s Services does not provide or refer for abortions.