Risks of Abortion
Physical Risks
HEMORRHAGE
Sometimes women bleed heavily during an abortion or a few days afterward. With a medical abortion, such as the use of RU-486, bleeding lasts 13-15 days, or longer. Occasionally it is necessary to receive a transfusion to replace the lost blood. Sometimes a second curettage procedure, or even a hysterectomy, is needed to stop the bleeding.
INFECTION
The uterus is susceptible to infection immediately after an abortion, especially if part of the baby or placenta is accidentally left inside of you. Infections are even more of a risk if you have Chlamydia or Gonorrhea. Symptoms of infection include pain and fever. Infection is generally treated with antibiotics but sometimes another curettage procedure must be used. If untreated, a very serious infection can develop and could result in infertility.
PERFORATION
Sometimes the tools of abortion are accidentally pushed through the wall of the uterus during an abortion. If the instrument damages one of your internal organs, it may be necessary to do major surgery to repair the damage. This complication can cause extensive bleeding.
EFFECTS ON LATER PREGNANCY
Injury to the cervix may cause the early loss of a later, wanted pregnancy. Scarring, which blocks your fallopian tubes, may also occur; this can prevent you from becoming pregnant in the future. The risk of miscarriage in later pregnancy is higher if a woman has had two or more abortions.
ECTOPIC (TUBAL) PREGNANCY
The fetus may be growing in your fallopian tube rather than in your uterus. An abortion procedure would miss this. The continued growth of the fetus in a fallopian tube is dangerous and potentially fatal.
BREAST CANCER
A number of scientific studies show a link between abortion and breast cancer.
DEATH
Death, although rare, has occurred after abortion. When an abortion is done after the first three months of pregnancy, the risk of death increases. The cause of death by abortion is usually from heavy bleeding or from complications with the drugs used for pain.
HEMORRHAGE
Sometimes women bleed heavily during an abortion or a few days afterward. With a medical abortion, such as the use of RU-486, bleeding lasts 13-15 days, or longer. Occasionally it is necessary to receive a transfusion to replace the lost blood. Sometimes a second curettage procedure, or even a hysterectomy, is needed to stop the bleeding.
INFECTION
The uterus is susceptible to infection immediately after an abortion, especially if part of the baby or placenta is accidentally left inside of you. Infections are even more of a risk if you have Chlamydia or Gonorrhea. Symptoms of infection include pain and fever. Infection is generally treated with antibiotics but sometimes another curettage procedure must be used. If untreated, a very serious infection can develop and could result in infertility.
PERFORATION
Sometimes the tools of abortion are accidentally pushed through the wall of the uterus during an abortion. If the instrument damages one of your internal organs, it may be necessary to do major surgery to repair the damage. This complication can cause extensive bleeding.
EFFECTS ON LATER PREGNANCY
Injury to the cervix may cause the early loss of a later, wanted pregnancy. Scarring, which blocks your fallopian tubes, may also occur; this can prevent you from becoming pregnant in the future. The risk of miscarriage in later pregnancy is higher if a woman has had two or more abortions.
ECTOPIC (TUBAL) PREGNANCY
The fetus may be growing in your fallopian tube rather than in your uterus. An abortion procedure would miss this. The continued growth of the fetus in a fallopian tube is dangerous and potentially fatal.
BREAST CANCER
A number of scientific studies show a link between abortion and breast cancer.
DEATH
Death, although rare, has occurred after abortion. When an abortion is done after the first three months of pregnancy, the risk of death increases. The cause of death by abortion is usually from heavy bleeding or from complications with the drugs used for pain.
