Damage to the womb is a rare but serious complication of abortion. During a surgical abortion, forceps may be used to remove large pieces of the pregnancy and the uterus may also be scraped with a sharp tool to ensure all tissue is removed.
At any point during this process, the womb may be injured.
Signs of a womb perforation or injury include:
- bleeding that soaks through more than two pads per hour for more than 2 hours
- increasingly worse abdominal pain or cramping
- pain or cramping that does not respond to pain medication
- fever of 100.4°F or more
- nausea or vomiting
- diarrhea
Most abortions are outpatient procedures which means women are responsible for monitoring their own recovery for any complications.
Can Serious Complications Be Avoided?
Serious complications, like injury to the womb, are statistically rare. But no one knows how they will react to an abortion or if their procedure will cause complications.
Women can be proactive in mitigating risks by following certain protocols prior to having an abortion. These include confirming the pregnancy and getting an ultrasound.
Confirm Your Pregnancy
The Mayo Clinic estimates that 10-20% of all pregnancies will end in a miscarriage. It’s worth getting a quality, second pregnancy test done to confirm your pregnancy is still alive.
You might not need to put yourself through the risks of an abortion after all.
Have An Ultrasound
Additionally, an ultrasound provides important information about your pregnancy. It reveals how far along your pregnancy is and where it’s located.
If you weren’t planning on getting pregnant, pinpointing exactly when you conceived can be tricky. Ultrasounds show exactly how old a pregnancy is which helps determine what type of termination procedure is needed.
Some pregnancies can actually implant outside of the uterus. This phenomenon is known as an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy is not viable and can cause serious harm if left undetected.
An ultrasound is the only sure way to know if you’re dealing with an ectopic pregnancy.
For More Information
If you’re looking for more information on abortions or alternative solutions, Life Choices is here for you.
Women can have their pregnancy confirmed or get an ultrasound all free of charge at our center. You deserve answers to your questions. Call us at 303-651-2050 to schedule your first appointment.
Your journey and your health matter to us.
We don’t perform or refer for abortions, which means we aren’t monetarily motivated by your decision. Instead, we’re safe, confidential, and nonjudgmental. Remember, you are not alone – we’re here to help.