Certain abortion procedures will always have guaranteed side effects (e.g., abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding always occur during a medical abortion). However, other things may or may not happen.
Abortion affects every woman differently. You can make a thoughtful decision by arming yourself with the facts and learning about these procedures.
Make a free and confidential appointment at Sound Choices Pregnancy Clinic to learn more. In the meantime, continue reading to learn about the physical effects of abortion.
What is Medical Abortion and Surgical Abortion?
First, you should know what each abortion method entails.
Medical abortion uses drugs to end a pregnancy. Mifepristone blocks progesterone, a hormone that aids the pregnancy’s growth and development. Without progesterone, the pregnancy detaches from the uterus and ends.
Next, misoprostol causes uterine contractions that expel the pregnancy and tissue from the body.
Surgical abortion uses drugs, suctioning, or surgical tools (or a combination of these) to end the pregnancy.
While it’s essential to understand how these procedures end a pregnancy, knowing each one’s side effects and risks is vital.
Side Effects
Any woman who undergoes a medical abortion will have some degree of abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding. These side effects can be severe.
Other side effects are possible, including:
- Upset stomach
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Fever
- Chills
Following a surgical abortion procedure, mild cramping and spotting or light bleeding can occur.
Possible Risks
A risk is something that could happen but isn’t guaranteed. Still, it’s critical to know the potential risks of medical abortion and surgical abortion procedures and make an informed choice.
Medical Abortion
Medical abortion-related risks include:
- Fever
- Digestive symptoms (i.e., upset stomach)
- Infection
- Heavy, prolonged bleeding
- An incomplete abortion (this happens when some of the pregnancy tissue remains in the body, and it may require a surgical procedure)
Women should receive medical attention immediately if they experience any of the following after taking abortion drugs:
- Heavy bleeding — soaking two or more pads an hour for two hours in a row
- Bad pain in the stomach area or pelvis
- Chills or body aches
- Fast heart rate
- Fever that lasts more than four hours or that starts in the days after you take misoprostol
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
Surgical Abortion
Similarly, surgical abortion also has risks you should know:
- Perforation of the uterus (when a surgical tool pokes a hole in the uterus)
- Damage to the cervix (i.e., tearing)
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall (aka Asherman’s syndrome) can cause painful periods, infertility, and more
- Infection
Women should watch for these warning signs after the procedure:
- Bleeding that’s heavy enough that you need to change pads every hour
- Lasting dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fever
- Cramps lasting more than 48 hours
- Pain that gets worse instead of better
- Foul-smelling discharge from the vagina
Your health is the priority. If you have an abortion and notice any of these warning signs, seeking medical attention can preserve your health and prevent potentially severe complications.
If you are still weighing your options, Sound Choices Pregnancy Clinic can help you learn about each.
You Are In Control
You have several options when facing an unexpected pregnancy. However, what you decide is entirely your choice.
Sound Choices Pregnancy Clinic is a trustworthy source of information on abortion procedures, risks, and side effects. Get your questions answered and determine the option best for your unique circumstances.
Make a free and confidential appointment to learn more.
Sound Choices Pregnancy Clinic does not perform or refer for abortions.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.