Various complications can be caused due to abortion. Read on to know about the possible complications which may arise due to surgical and non-surgical abortion. To terminate a pregnancy primarily there are two types of abortion:Medical abortion - which is also referred to as medication abortion or non-surgical abortion and Surgical abortionSurgical abortion is a very safe procedure particularly in the first trimester of pregnancy. During a non-surgical abortion, medications are used to induce the uterus to contract. This results in blood and tissues being emptied out of the uterus automatically. To minimise the risk of complications and adverse reactions a woman undergoing abortion must clearly share her complete medical information and history with her health care providers. She must specify any known allergies or health problems that she may be suffering. It is also essential to disclose complete and correct information regarding medications or drugs that she may be taking including herbal supplements if any. By providing all relevant information it is possible to reduce the risk of complications which may arise due to abortion to a very large extent. In this articleTissue Being Retained in the UterusUnsuccessful Termination of PregnancyClotting of Blood in the UterusInfectionHemorrhageCervical TearVaginal bleedingNon-Surgical Abortion ComplicationsSurgical Abortion Complications Some of the possible complications due to surgical abortion include: Tissue Being Retained in the Uterus - The thickened lining of the uterus is normally never totally removed during the surgical abortion procedure. Hence, it is expected that the uterus will naturally shed excess blood and tissue while healing. In certain rare cases this retained tissue in the uterus can lead to infection, hemorrhage, or both. Unsuccessful Termination of Pregnancy - In certain rare cases- statistically one in a thousand an early abortion may not result in the pregnancy getting terminated. In such cases surgery for aborting the fetus may have to be repeated. Also in case of ectopic pregnancy only an abdominal surgery can terminate the fetus. Clotting of Blood in the Uterus - Sometimes post surgical abortion blood clots may get accumulated in the uterus and cause severe cramping. Infection - Post surgery there are chances of infection setting in due to germs from the vagina and cervix entering the uterus. In case the woman undergoing abortion happens to suffer from Gonorrhea, Chlamydia or Syphilis it can lead to serious tubal infections also. Hemorrhage - In certain rare cases surgical abortion can lead to heavy bleeding which may require immediate medical attention. Cervical Tear - During surgery sometimes the cervix gets torn. Normally, the tear is a minor and heals quite well on its own. In certain extreme cases stitches may be required to repair the injury.Vaginal bleeding - It is normal to experience moderate vaginal bleeding after a surgical abortion. Usually, the bleeding will be less than what the woman has during her menstrual period. It may last for a few days or up to a couple of weeks. However, after the first few days the bleeding will be light. In case the bleeding is so heavy that it soaks through one menstrual pad per hour or two hours in a row, immediate medical assistance must be sought. Non-Surgical Abortion Complications Possible Complications of Non-Surgical Abortion Incomplete abortion happens rarely in this case a surgery may be required to abort the fetus.In some rare cases the woman may experience heavy bleeding. Painful cramping.Allergic reaction to drugs – the instances of this too are very rare. Nausea or vomiting or both.Diarrhea. Fever. The chances of infection and death due to non-surgical abortion are very rare. Similarly fertility of the woman will not be impacted when she undergoes non surgical abortion Women under the age of 20 are at higher risk of abortion complications. Apart from the physical complications of abortion, majority of women who had an abortion suffer from psychological complications that includes depression, guilt, insomnia and regret. Women may also experience complications with future pregnancies or have risk of miscarriages. The complete sharing of information with the doctor can prevent or minimise the complications due to abortion.
Various complications can be caused due to abortion. Read on to know about the possible complications which may arise due to surgical and non-surgical abortion. To terminate a pregnancy primarily there are two types of abortion:
Surgical abortion is a very safe procedure particularly in the first trimester of pregnancy. During a non-surgical abortion, medications are used to induce the uterus to contract. This results in blood and tissues being emptied out of the uterus automatically.
To minimise the risk of complications and adverse reactions a woman undergoing abortion must clearly share her complete medical information and history with her health care providers. She must specify any known allergies or health problems that she may be suffering. It is also essential to disclose complete and correct information regarding medications or drugs that she may be taking including herbal supplements if any. By providing all relevant information it is possible to reduce the risk of complications which may arise due to abortion to a very large extent.
Surgical Abortion Complications
Some of the possible complications due to surgical abortion include:
Tissue Being Retained in the Uterus -
The thickened lining of the uterus is normally never totally removed during the surgical abortion procedure. Hence, it is expected that the uterus will naturally shed excess blood and tissue while healing. In certain rare cases this retained tissue in the uterus can lead to infection, hemorrhage, or both.
Unsuccessful Termination of Pregnancy -
In certain rare cases- statistically one in a thousand an early abortion may not result in the
pregnancy getting terminated. In such cases surgery for aborting the fetus may have to be repeated. Also in case of ectopic pregnancy only an abdominal surgery can terminate the fetus.
Clotting of Blood in the Uterus -
Sometimes post surgical abortion blood clots may get accumulated in the uterus and cause severe cramping.
Infection -
Post surgery there are chances of infection setting in due to germs from the vagina and cervix entering the uterus. In case the woman undergoing abortion happens to suffer from
Gonorrhea,
Chlamydia or
Syphilis it can lead to serious tubal infections also.
Hemorrhage -
In certain rare cases surgical abortion can lead to heavy bleeding which may require immediate medical attention.
Cervical Tear -
During surgery sometimes the cervix gets torn. Normally, the tear is a minor and heals quite well on its own. In certain extreme cases stitches may be required to repair the injury.
Vaginal bleeding -
It is normal to experience moderate vaginal bleeding after a surgical abortion. Usually, the bleeding will be less than what the woman has during her menstrual period. It may last for a few days or up to a couple of weeks. However, after the first few days the bleeding will be light.
In case the bleeding is so heavy that it soaks through one menstrual pad per hour or two hours in a row, immediate medical assistance must be sought.
Non-Surgical Abortion Complications
Possible Complications of Non-Surgical Abortion
- Incomplete abortion happens rarely in this case a surgery may be required to abort the fetus.
- In some rare cases the woman may experience heavy bleeding.
- Painful cramping.
- Allergic reaction to drugs – the instances of this too are very rare.
- Nausea or vomiting or both.
- Diarrhea.
- Fever.
The chances of infection and death due to non-surgical abortion are very rare. Similarly fertility of the woman will not be impacted when she undergoes non surgical abortion
Women under the age of 20 are at higher risk of abortion complications. Apart from the physical complications of abortion, majority of women who had an abortion suffer from psychological complications that includes depression, guilt, insomnia and regret. Women may also experience complications with future pregnancies or have risk of miscarriages. The complete sharing of information with the doctor can prevent or minimise the complications due to abortion.
