Abortion is a serious medical procedure, and part of your decision-making process involves assessing your risks. Depending on the type of abortion, potential issues could include heavy bleeding, infection, internal damage or scarring, and incomplete abortion. Here’s what to know as you consider the next step for your health.
According to the Mayo Clinic, “having a medical abortion is a major decision with emotional and psychological consequences.”
What is known as the abortion pill is usually a combination of two powerful medications: mifepristone and misoprostol. Potential risks of mifepristone include:
Before having a surgical abortion, the National Institutes of Health recommends weighing your choices and discussing your feelings with someone you trust.
Risks of a surgical abortion include:
While major physical complications like the above risks don’t happen to every woman, they are possible. However, some side effects are common and expected parts of how an abortion works.
These side effects include vaginal bleeding and cramping. The FDA also notes that nausea, weakness, headache, and diarrhea often happen soon after taking the abortion pill.
Here are some ways you can manage your risks as you consider abortion:
To get a better picture of potential risks, you should know the type of abortion you are eligible for. Abortion types largely depend on how far along you are in your pregnancy.
If you aren’t certain if you’re pregnant or how long you’ve been pregnant, call or text us at (520) 221-3530. We can help connect you with an ultrasound to confirm this information for free.
Some factors could increase your risk of complications or even mean that a particular type of abortion won’t work for your unique situation.
For example, having an untreated STD may increase the risk of complications from an abortion. Women who have an ectopic pregnancy should not take the abortion pill (an ultrasound will let you know if your pregnancy is in this category).
Before having an abortion, rule out factors like this to be safe. We can provide you with STD information and medical care referrals to help.
Health experts recommend fully exploring your options to make a confident and informed choice about your future.
Our caring team is here to listen and to help you sort through your possibilities. There’s no judgment, and we don’t profit from any decision you make.
Contact us today to make a free and confidential appointment.
