If you’re thinking about abortion after finding out you’re pregnant, you may wonder about the risks. There are major risks involved with every type of abortion, including incomplete abortion, infection, and more.
Abortion Types & Risks
There are two types of abortion procedures: medical abortion and surgical abortion. They both end a pregnancy by two different methods.
A pregnancy test and ultrasound are necessary to confirm your pregnancy and how far along you are to see if you qualify for an abortion. Medical abortion is only for women up to 10 weeks pregnant, or surgical abortion may be the only other abortion option.
Medical Abortion
With medical abortion, there are two different drugs taken in the process. First, a doctor or medical professional will prescribe Mifepristone, which blocks the progesterone hormone, stopping the embryo from growing.
The second drug, Misoprostol, causes the uterus to contract and release the contents of the pregnancy through the vagina.
Risks of Medical Abortion
- 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
A surgical abortion is very different than medical abortion, as it’s more invasive and requires anesthesia. The process involves dilating the uterus and using a small suction to remove the fetus and related pregnancy tissue from the uterus.
There are different surgical abortion methods performed depending on how far along the pregnancy is.
Risks of Surgical Abortion
- Damage to the womb or cervix
- Uterine perforation (accidentally putting a hole in the uterus with one of the instruments used)
- Excessive bleeding
- Infection of the uterus or fallopian tubes
- Scarring on the inside of the uterus
- Reaction to the medicines or anesthesia, such as problems breathing
- Not removing all of the tissue, requiring another procedure
Are You Eligible for Abortion?
There are two steps to pregnancy confirmation to determine what options you have. Confirming your pregnancy will alert you to any unknowns like ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage.
It’s vital to screen for complications and learn the details of your pregnancy before proceeding with abortion to protect your health.
- Lab-Quality Pregnancy Testing
First, verify your pregnancy through a pregnancy test at Chester County Women’s Services. We offer free onsite pregnancy tests and can discuss your results with you right away. Though home pregnancy tests are very accurate, a follow-up pregnancy test is necessary to know for sure.
- Receive an Ultrasound
Before making a pregnancy decision, it’s essential to get an ultrasound to confirm that you have a viable pregnancy. Our center will perform a free ultrasound, which identifies many factors regarding your pregnancy.
Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a free and confidential pregnancy confirmation appointment today to learn about your pregnancy options. You are not alone!