You’d probably never volunteer to get into an airplane with a pilot who didn’t tell you your plane had a hole in it. You’d want to know all the risks before you buckled in and left the ground.
Having an abortion procedure really shouldn’t be any different. You should be made aware of all the risks before jumping in with both feet because the reality is that some women have had adverse effects and complications after an abortion that negatively impacted them.
What Are the Risks of a Medical Abortion?
The abortion pill, FDA-approved for use within the first ten weeks of pregnancy, works by first blocking the hormone progesterone with the drug mifepristone. Without progesterone, your pregnancy won’t be able to survive. The second drug of the abortion pill series (misoprostol) triggers contraction-like cramping that will expel the pregnancy and related tissue from your body.
In addition to vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping, Mayo Clinic lists the following as other potential side effects:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Chills
- Headache
The risks of a medical abortion include incomplete abortion (which may need to be followed by surgical abortion), infection, fever, digestive system discomfort, and an ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work.
What Are the Risks of a Surgical Abortion?
Surgical abortion is a procedure available after the abortion pill is no longer an option. This means that the pregnancy is farther along developmentally. This form of abortion requires dilation, followed by a mix of surgical tools and suction to remove the pregnancy and tissue from the body.
This type of abortion can be more invasive but is performed by a medical professional. The risks of dilation & curettage (D&C) surgical abortion include perforation of the uterus, damage to the cervix, scar tissue on the uterine wall, and infection.
What Are the Mental and Emotional Risks of Abortion?
Often overlooked, the mental effects of abortion are worth noting. Cambridge University did a study that showed women who had an abortion were 81 percent more likely to suffer from mental health challenges than those who did not.
Another study notes that experts agree that some women experience negative mental health impacts.
Every woman will react differently to her abortion experience. The Mayo Clinic says women may experience relief, loss, sadness, or guilt. You are the best predictor of how you might feel after, and it’s critical to consider this aspect.
Where Can I Learn More About Alternatives to Abortion?
If you would like more information, please contact us. We can answer your questions about abortion, and we can also offer helpful information about your alternatives.
At WISH Medical, we can help you walk through the following steps, like an ultrasound (which we can offer for free), to help you identifynarrow down the options you have available to you. Make sure you know all the details before “getting on the plane and buckling up.”