Abortion, like any medical procedure, comes with risks. You should consider the risks and discuss your personal health history with your doctor or a healthcare professional before making a decision.
Keep reading to learn more about the risks associated with different abortion procedures and if abortion has the potential to impact mental health.
What Are the Risks of the Abortion Pill?
A medication abortion, also known as the abortion pill, is FDA-approved through the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. It involves two sets of drugs taken within 24-48 hours of each other. They work to end the pregnancy and expel the pregnancy tissue from the uterus.
According to the Mayo Clinic, potential risks of medical abortion include:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- An ongoing unwanted pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
After the procedure, women who experience any of the following symptoms should seek medical attention to prevent serious complications:
- Heavy bleeding — soaking two or more pads an hour for two hours
- Severe abdominal or back pain
- Fever lasting more than 24 hours
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
What Are the Risks of a Surgical Abortion?
A surgical procedure requires surgical intervention to terminate the pregnancy. Risks of a dilation & curettage surgical abortion (D&C) include the following:
- Perforation of the uterus
- Damage to the cervix
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall
- Infection
Are There Mental Health Risks?
While there’s an ongoing debate about mental health and abortion, experts agree that at least some women do experience negative mental health impacts from abortion. Women with a history of mental health issues, existing maternal desires, conflicting moral beliefs, or those who feel pressured to have an abortion may be at a higher risk.
For your mental health, it’s essential for you to consider your current emotional health status and mental health history before choosing abortion.
Next Steps
If you are considering an abortion, an essential first step is to schedule a no-cost ultrasound that we offer at our center. Ultrasounds give helpful information such as the gestational age, the location of the pregnancy (to ensure it’s not ectopic), and to confirm it’s still progressing.
Contact us today to schedule your appointment!