Abortion Complications
Please know and completely understand the risks involved in making the life-altering decision to have an abortion. Although your initial feelings may be of instant relief, you need to know the risks, the consequences, and potential complications.
Abortion is a permanent decision for your life and the life of the unborn child.
The type of abortion is dependent upon gestation age (how far along you are). Each abortion has potential complications and side effects. Listed below are some of the most common complications women may experience.
Physical Complications
- Heavy Bleeding: Some bleeding is normal. However there is a risk of hemorrhaging.
- Infection: Pelvic infection can occur that can affect future fertility. Fetal tissue left behind can cause infection. This is called an incomplete abortion.
- Damage to the Cervix or Uterine Lining: The abortion instruments, suction tubing or curettes may cause scarring of the cervix or uterine lining. Laceration or damage to the cervix can cause infertility, increased chance of miscarriage in a future pregnancy as well as premature birth in a future pregnancy.
- Anesthesia Complications: Local or general anesthesia is used during the abortion procedure. If general anesthesia is used, complications can occur from the anesthesia.
- Perforation of the Uterus & Damage to Internal Organs: There is a risk that the abortion instruments may puncture or tear the uterus. If this occurs nearby organs may be damaged.
- Tubal Pregnancy: Scarring caused by the abortion instruments may increase the risk of a future tubal (ectopic) pregnancy.
- Sepsis: The abortion pill (RU-486) has resulted in sepsis (total body infection) in a number of users.
- Death: While very rare, death has occurred especially when an ectopic pregnancy is not discovered.
Emotional Complications
Life Choices has counseled hundreds of women who have had an abortion. The following statements are not based on assumptions but from our first-hand knowledge of what these women have gone through trying to heal from a past abortion.
Some women experience very strong negative feelings after an abortion. There is no set time when these feelings can arise. For some it may be immediately, for others it may be years later. This psychological response is known as Post-Abortion Syndrome (PAS). Many factors influence these feelings, such as the women’s age, lifestyle, and personal support system. Symptoms of PAS may include:
- Guilt
- Anger
- Depression
- Suicidal thoughts
- Anniversary guilt
- Flashbacks of abortion
- Sexual dysfunction
- Relationship problems
- Eating disorders
- Alcohol and drug abuse
- Psychological reactions
- Spriritual Conflict
Before You Decide
If you are considering abortion, please schedule an appointment at Life Choices to talk about your needs and how we can help. Don’t allow anyone to rush you in the decision-making process. This is your life and your choice but a choice that will affect your life forever. Life Choices is here to give you the support and information you need to make the best decision for you.
Read the testimony of a woman, after having an aborton»