Abortion is a life-changing pregnancy decision that comes with risks to your physical and mental health. We talk about abortion at Attleboro Women’s Health Center because we believe that you deserve to have all the information you need to make an educated decision and protect your health.
This article will highlight the essentials you need to know about abortion. But if you want to talk to someone in person about your pregnancy and options, contact us today to schedule a free, confidential appointment (same-day appointments may be available).
Abortion Comes with Risks to Your Physical Health
There are two types of abortion—medical and surgical—and both come with risks to your physical health.
Medical Abortion
Medical abortion (also known as the “abortion pill”) uses two powerful drugs to terminate and expel a pregnancy from your uterus and through your vagina. After taking these drugs, you will experience vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping, but you may also face other risks.
Medical abortion risks may be rare but potentially life-threatening and include:
- Incomplete abortion, which is when parts of the terminated pregnancy remain in your uterus
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
The abortion drugs are only FDA-approved if your pregnancy is 10 weeks gestation or less, and you’re more likely to experience risks if you take them and your pregnancy is further along.
Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortion is performed in a clinic, and the type of procedure you receive depends on the gestational age of your pregnancy. Earlier in pregnancy, surgical abortion will involve dilating the cervix and vacuuming out the pregnancy, while later in pregnancy, surgical abortion might use forceps and scraping tools.
The risks of a surgical abortion include:
- Uterine perforation (which is when one of the surgical instruments pokes a hole in your uterus)
- Uterine scarring (which can lead to painful periods and future infertility)
- Cervical damage
- Infection
Abortion Comes with Risks to Your Mental Health
Abortion also comes with risks to your mental health.
Studies looking into the connection between abortion and mental health complications found that “at least some women do have significant mental health issues that are caused, triggered, aggravated, or complicated by their abortion experience.”
While every woman’s abortion experience is unique, feeling pressured into having an abortion and having preexisting mental health conditions are both risk factors for facing a mental health complication after abortion.
We’re Here for You
Navigating your pregnancy options can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone in this. At Attleboro Women’s Health Center, we’re here for you.
While we don’t perform or refer for abortions, we offer medically accurate information about abortion and your other pregnancy options. We also provide essential pregnancy services, like free pregnancy tests, limited ultrasounds and STI testing to give you the information you need to stay safe.
Contact us today to schedule your free, confidential appointment.