If you’re researching abortion, you may have read how each method works. Understanding how abortion could affect you physically also means learning which effects are expected, what complications may occur, and how your health history could affect your experience.
At Mercy Women’s Center, we offer free and confidential pregnancy services, including options consultations, so you can ask questions about the abortion procedure in a safe, judgment-free environment.
What Side Effects Can You Expect?
There are two primary types of abortion: medical abortion and surgical abortion. Each affects the body differently.
Medical abortion involves taking two drugs over the course of one to two days and is FDA-approved through 10 weeks of pregnancy. Mifepristone blocks progesterone, while misoprostol causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy through vaginal bleeding and cramping. Some women also experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, chills, or headaches.
Surgical abortion is performed in a medical setting such as a hospital or a clinic. Women who have a surgical abortion typically experience cramping, spotting, or bleeding afterward as their bodies recover.
What Are the Risks of Abortion?
A medical abortion may result in:
- Heavy or prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- An incomplete abortion requiring additional treatment
- An ongoing pregnancy if the drugs do not work
Potential complications of surgical abortion include:
- Heavy bleeding
- Infection
- Pregnancy tissue remaining in the uterus
- Injury to the cervix
- Perforation of the uterus
- Complications related to anesthesia or sedation
Scar tissue may form inside the uterus following dilation and curettage (D&C). This scarring, or an untreated infection, may affect future fertility.
Sustained fever, severe abdominal pain, fainting, or prolonged heavy bleeding may indicate a complication requiring prompt medical attention.
How Could Your Health History Affect You?
A healthcare provider should review your medical history and circumstances. Long-term corticosteroid use, chronic adrenal failure, significant anemia, an IUD currently in place, or limited access to emergency care may mean the regimen is not appropriate for you.
Learn More About Your Pregnancy
Before making a pregnancy decision, learn as much as you can about your pregnancy and any factors that may affect your health.
A limited ultrasound can estimate how far along you are, identify whether the pregnancy is located in the uterus, and look for signs of viability by confirming a fetal heartbeat. These details may affect which questions you need to ask and the medical care you may require.
Schedule a Confidential Appointment
Schedule a free, confidential appointment at Mercy Women’s Center to learn more about your pregnancy, ask questions about abortion procedures, and discuss your options before moving forward.
Mercy Women’s Center does not perform or refer for abortions.