Are you considering abortion after recently finding out that you’re pregnant? The facts of abortion matter, as well as the risks.

Here is what you need to know if considering this option, as your health and safety are the main priority in your pregnancy journey.

Medical & Surgical Abortion Risks

A medical abortion procedure uses two different drugs to terminate a pregnancy. A surgical abortion is when an abortion provider ends the pregnancy by removing it from the body through surgical intervention.

Medical Abortion Risks

According to the Mayo Clinic, possible risks of medical abortions include the following:

Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
An ongoing unwanted pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
Heavy and prolonged bleeding
Infection
Fever
Digestive system discomfort

Surgical Abortion Risks

Kaiser Permanente notes risks of surgical abortions include:

Injury to the uterine lining or cervix
A hole in the wall of the uterus (uterine perforation)
Infection. Bacteria can enter the uterus during the procedure and cause an infection.
Moderate to severe bleeding (hemorrhage), which can be caused by:
- Perforation of the uterus
- The uterus does not contract (atony)
- Uterine rupture. In rare cases, a uterine incision scar tears open when a medicine induces contractions

Other rare complications include:

Tissue remaining in the uterus from conception
Blood clots

Before an Abortion

If you’re considering any abortion procedure, you should first consult with a trusted medical provider or pregnancy resource center.

Talk to a professional to understand all risks, complications, and impacts. Be sure to do the following:

Have a complete physical exam
Provide a list of currently used medications
Communicate any current or past medical conditions/history
Confirm pregnancy with a quality pregnancy test and ultrasound

We’re here to help you! All services at Pregnancy Help Center in Jefferson City are free and confidential. Schedule an appointment today.