We are so glad you’re asking this question. You hear a lot about abortion but rarely learn if there are risks.
It turns out there are definite risks with both medical and surgical abortion procedures. Everything from an incomplete abortion to a serious infection is possible. Let’s take a closer look.
The Risks of Medical Abortion (also called the abortion pill method)
The abortion pill method is considered a medical abortion because you take two drugs to end a pregnancy. Mifepristone, the first drug, is highly regulated by the FDA. They have approved its use through 10 weeks of pregnancy only.
The Mayo Clinic lists the following as potential risks:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by a surgical procedure. An incomplete abortion means the drugs end the pregnancy, but not all of the tissue leaves the body.
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work. Experts say the farther along you are in your pregnancy, the less effective the drugs are.
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding. You will know you are bleeding too heavily if you soak through two or more pads an hour for two hours in a row.
- Infection, which may cause a foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
- Fever, which may include chills or body aches.
- Digestive system discomfort.
The Risks of Surgical Abortion
An abortion provider performs a surgical abortion procedure in a clinic or hospital. The provider uses suction if your pregnancy is still in the first trimester.
Later pregnancies require surgical instruments such as a curette, a sharp tool used for scraping, or forceps to remove larger parts.
The Mayo Clinic lists the following as potential risks:
- Perforation of the uterus. This occurs when a surgical instrument pokes a hole in the uterus.
- Damage to the cervix. The cervix leads to the uterus and can be torn.
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall.
- Infection.
What Should I Do Before I Have an Abortion?
The team at Charis Center can help you answer this question. Before any woman has an abortion, she should confirm her pregnancy. Experts estimate as many as 26% of all pregnancies end in a miscarriage.
Most miscarriages occur in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. It’s possible to get a positive pregnancy test days or weeks following a miscarriage because it takes the body time to return to pre-pregnancy hormone levels.
How do you know if you’ve miscarried? An ultrasound is the best way to confirm your pregnancy is still growing. Thankfully, Charis Center offers no-cost, confidential, limited ultrasounds.
Schedule an appointment for confidential, no-cost pregnancy testing. Our Registered Nurse Sonographer will provide an ultrasound if the test is positive.
To schedule an appointment, use our convenient online contact form, text us at (405) 757-4673, or call (580) 786-6000.
Oklahoma banned abortion, so it’s more important than ever to get the facts about your pregnancy before scheduling an abortion. We’re here to help you.
Charis 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.