Abortion is a permanent decision that terminates a pregnancy and comes with side effects and risks to your physical health.
Before choosing this pregnancy option, it’s essential to understand how it might affect you physically so you can know what to expect and protect your health.
Read on to learn more about how your body might be affected by abortion. Or, if you want to talk to someone in person about your pregnancy options, contact Choose Hope Women’s Center today to be connected to one of our caring staff members.
What Are the Side Effects and Risks of Abortion?
There are two main types of abortion: medical (also known as the “abortion pill”) and surgical. After both types of abortion, you will experience vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping.
Medical Abortion
Medical abortion involves taking two drugs that work together to terminate your pregnancy and then force it through the uterus and out your vagina.
These drugs are taken at home without the oversight of a medical professional, which means you need to know how to spot the difference between side effects and risks.
Side effects of the abortion pill drugs are unpleasant physical symptoms you might feel after taking them, and they include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Chills
- Diarrhea
- Headache
Risks of the abortion pill drugs are less common but more severe, and they include:
- Incomplete abortion, which happens when parts of the terminated pregnancy remain in your uterus
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
Your chance of experiencing a risk is greater if your pregnancy is over ten weeks gestation when you take these drugs.
Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortion occurs in a clinical setting. It involves the dilation of the cervix so that medical instruments (usually a scraping tool and harsh suction) can enter the uterus to remove the pregnancy.
The main risks associated with surgical abortion include:
- Uterine scarring
- Cervical damage
- Infection
- Perforation of the uterus, which happens when the medical instruments poke a hole in the uterus
How to Protect My Health?
Getting an ultrasound is the most crucial step to protect your health during pregnancy. This simple scan will provide the vital details you need to know before scheduling an abortion.
At Choose Hope Women’s Center, we offer free and confidential ultrasounds that will tell you your pregnancy’s age, location, and viability. We also provide free follow-up consultations where you’ll be given the space to ask questions and receive information.
Contact us today to schedule your free appointment. You’re not alone in this. We’re here for you.