Abortion terminates and expels an established pregnancy from your uterus. However, this pregnancy option comes with risks to your physical and mental health, which is why it’s critical to be fully informed before making this decision.
Physical Risks of Abortion
There are two main types of abortion: medical (also known as the “abortion pill”) and surgical, and each type comes with unique risks.
Medical Abortion
Medical abortion is the process of taking two powerful drugs that work together to terminate and expel your pregnancy through your vagina.
These drugs are taken at home, and after taking them, you will experience vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping. This pain can range from mild to severe.
These drugs are also associated with risks, which include:
- Incomplete abortion, which is when parts of the pregnancy remain in your uterus
- An ongoing pregnancy if the drugs don’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortion is performed in a clinic. It involves dilating the cervix so that medical instruments (which include strong suction and scraping tools) can enter the uterus to terminate and remove the pregnancy.
The risks associated with surgical abortion include:
- Uterine perforation (this is when the medical instruments poke a hole in your uterus)
- Uterine scarring (this can cause future infertility and painful periods)
- Cervical damage
- Infection
Mental Health Risks of Abortion
Every woman’s abortion experience is unique. However, some women report adverse mental health outcomes after an abortion.
A report by the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Task Force on Mental Health and Abortion (TFMHA) found that “it is clear that some women do experience sadness, grief, and feelings of loss following termination of a pregnancy, and some experience clinically significant disorders, including depression and anxiety.”
If you feel at all pressured into having an abortion, you’re more likely to experience a mental health issue. This is why ensuring you’re making your own pregnancy decision is essential.
How Can I Protect My Health?
Getting an ultrasound and learning all you can about abortion are the primary ways to protect your health.
At Reach Out Pregnancy Center, we offer no-cost, limited ultrasounds as well as medically accurate information about abortion (and your other pregnancy options).
We believe that the more you know, the more you will feel empowered to make an educated decision for your pregnancy.
Contact us today to schedule a no-cost, confidential appointment. You’re not alone in this. We’re here for you.