The usual signs of an incomplete abortion include moderate to severe vaginal bleeding, which could be associated with lower abdominal and/or pelvic pain.
If considering abortion, make sure you understand all the potential risks, side effects, and complications. It’s a serious medical procedure, and it also carries emotional weight.
It will benefit you to be fully informed before moving forward.
What Is an Incomplete Abortion?
An incomplete abortion is when the tissue hasn’t been completely expelled from the body after an abortion. This can be dangerous if left untreated because it can lead to severe complications, such as hemorrhage or sepsis.
How Common Are Complications After Abortion?
The rate of abortion-related complications is estimated to be around 2%. While not very common, it’s still critical to have access to emergency care.
As far as follow-up care, UCLA Health says roughly 3-5% of women who have medical abortions receive a follow-up surgical procedure due to prolonged or excessive bleeding, continued pregnancy, or patient choice.
About 2% of women who have suction curettage abortion (surgical abortion) will have to repeat the procedure or other intervention.
What Should I Do Before an Abortion?
Take precautions before abortion by receiving an ultrasound scan and STD testing.
An ultrasound will provide details on how far along you are, if the pregnancy is progressing, and identify the presence of an ectopic pregnancy.
Knowing how far along you are (pregnancy gestation) will determine which abortion procedure(s) you’re eligible for. The FDA has only approved medical abortion through the first 70 days of pregnancy due to safety reasons. The abortion pill’s effectiveness decreases later on in pregnancy.
Also, abortion will not treat an ectopic pregnancy, which is life-threatening. Discovering this condition and treating it early will prevent issues such as tubal rupture. This can cause serious internal bleeding.
Testing for STDs and treating them prior to an abortion can lessen the chances of developing Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) when abortion disrupts the normal barrier created by your cervix. This can spread STDs further into your reproductive system.
Free Services to Keep You Safe
At Chester County Connect Care, we make sure you receive free services to protect your reproductive health. Contact us today to schedule a no-cost and confidential appointment.
We are here to be a resource for you!