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While women facing an unintended pregnancy may know of some physical side effects of abortion procedures, they might not know all the risks involved. Understanding and identifying these risks is vital before agreeing to any abortion procedure.
We’ll walk you through the risks of each procedure and what you should do before an abortion to protect your health and safety.
What Could Happen After a Medical Abortion?
A medical abortion, also known as the abortion pill, is performed during the first 70 days of pregnancy and consists of two drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol. Mifepristone blocks progesterone, and misoprostol induces contractions to expel the pregnancy tissue from the body.
The Mayo Clinic states that the risks of this procedure include:
- Incomplete abortion (may need to be followed by surgical abortion)
- An ongoing pregnancy (if the procedure doesn’t work)
- Heavy/prolonged bleeding
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
- Infection
If you experience any signs of a complication, you should seek urgent medical attention.
Does a Surgical Abortion Have Similar Risks?
A surgical abortion is typically carried out later on in pregnancy. It involves using medication or surgical instruments to dilate the cervix and then using a suctioning technique or curette (sharp scraping tool) to remove the pregnancy contents from the uterus.
The risks of surgical abortion can be quite severe and lead to long-term complications. They include:
- Perforation of the uterus
- Damage to the cervix
- Heavy bleeding
- Cramping
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall
- Infection
Don’t delay in seeking the medical help you deserve!
What To Do Before an Abortion
Before any abortion procedure, you should confirm your pregnancy with a lab-quality pregnancy test and have an obstetric ultrasound. Ultrasounds protect your health and confirm pregnancy details like the location of the pregnancy, viability (if the pregnancy is growing), and gestational age (how far along you are).
This information will determine whether you are eligible for an abortion and, if so, which type of procedure you have. The Epic Center offers limited ultrasounds for women with positive pregnancy test results at their center. All of our pregnancy services are provided free of charge.
Compassionate, Confidential Help
If you have an unintended pregnancy and need more information about your options or pregnancy confirmation services, The Epic Center is here for you! We offer caring, nonjudgmental help in a safe environment.
Contact us today to learn more or book an appointment.