Are you contemplating the option of abortion? There are both physical and emotional side effects to abortion that you may want to consider before making your decision.
In this blog, we want to share some of the common risks of abortion including incomplete abortion, uterine perforation, or emotional effects like depression and more.
Different Types of Abortion
There are two types of abortion procedures you may qualify for, based on how far along you are. Confirm your pregnancy with a free and confidential pregnancy test and ultrasound at our center today to accurately date your pregnancy.
Medical Abortion
The term ‘abortion pill’ is used interchangeably with medical abortion, which is an abortion procedure that involves two different drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol.
Mifepristone works to block the womb from absorbing progesterone, preventing the embryo from implanting or growing. Misoprostol causes the uterus to contract and remove the pregnancy through the vagina.
Physical Risks of Medical Abortion
Mayo Clinic lists the following common physical risks of medical abortion …
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- An ongoing unwanted pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortion requires anesthesia and multiple different surgical instruments. In a surgical abortion, the uterus is dilated and a small suction tube is placed into the uterus. The suction is used to remove the fetus and related pregnancy material from the uterus. It’s an invasive procedure.
Physical Risks of Surgical Abortion
Some of the serious physical risks of surgical abortion include:
- Damage to the womb or cervix
- Uterine perforation
- Excessive bleeding
- Infection of the uterus or fallopian tubes
- Scarring on the inside of the uterus
- Reaction to the medicines or anesthesia, such as problems breathing
- Not removing all of the tissue, requiring another procedure
Emotional Side Effects of Abortion
A study done by the British Journal of Psychiatry reveals that ‘women who have an abortion face an increased risk for mental health problems including substance abuse, anxiety, and depression.’
During the study, researchers analyzed data on 877,000 women, including 164,000 who had an abortion, and found women who had an abortion experienced an 81 percent increased risk for mental problems.
Before Abortion
Get the information you need to understand all of your options today. Schedule an appointment for pregnancy confirmation and if positive, meet with a Client Advocate to get your questions answered about abortion and all your options.
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.