Understanding the risks of abortion can help you carefully weigh this option and determine how it could impact your health. As it is the only option that ends a pregnancy, learning everything possible about the procedure can provide clarity and help you decide.
Avenues Clinic knows you have many choices when searching for options information. That’s why we provide complimentary services so you can get the information you need. We care about you.
Schedule a confidential appointment to learn more. We’ll expand upon the information in this blog and answer your questions.
First, What Is Abortion?
Abortion is a procedure that ends a pregnancy. The method depends on how far along a woman is and additional factors (such as her health).
Medical abortion uses drugs to end a pregnancy. Mifepristone, the first drug, blocks a hormone called progesterone. Without this hormone, the pregnancy detaches from the uterus and ends. Next, misoprostol causes uterine contractions that expel the pregnancy from the body.
Surgical abortion uses drugs, suctioning, or surgical instruments (or a combination of these) to end a pregnancy. The further along a woman is, the more complicated the procedure will be.
Now that you know the basics about abortion procedures, it’s critical to understand the potential health risks. Though these aren’t guaranteed to occur, learning them can help you make an informed decision and consider your situation.
What Are the Risks?
Knowing the risks is an essential step to learning more about abortion procedures.
Medical abortion poses certain health risks when you take the drugs, including:
- Digestive symptoms (i.e., upset stomach)
- Fever
- Infection
- Heavy, prolonged bleeding
- Incomplete abortion (which happens when some pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus), which may need surgical treatment
Additionally, it is critical to know that the FDA has approved medical abortion through 10 weeks gestation. It is not recommended to take abortion drugs past this gestational age.
Surgical abortion also creates certain risks, including:
- Infection
- Uterine perforation (when a surgical tool pokes a hole in the uterus)
- Damage to the cervix
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall (which can cause painful periods and infertility)
Your health should always be the priority when considering your pregnancy options. We’ll help you make a confident decision.
Complimentary Options Information
Avenues Clinic knows that making a pregnancy decision isn’t easy for many women. You deserve to have your questions answered and explore your options in a judgment-free, confidential space.
Make a complimentary appointment today to learn more.
Avenues Clinic does not provide or refer for abortions.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.