An unexpected pregnancy can lead you to think about all your options, including abortion.
Before making any abortion decisions, it’s essential to understand the potential risks involved. Abortion, either through drugs or surgery, is a serious medical procedure.
If you think you might be pregnant, your first step is confirming your pregnancy and learning how far along you are. At Aid for Women in Chicago, we offer free pregnancy testing and limited ultrasounds so you can get answers. Schedule an appointment today to talk with a caring medical team member in a confidential setting.
Risks of Chemical Abortion (The Abortion Pill)
A chemical abortion uses prescription drugs to end an early pregnancy by blocking the hormone progesterone, then triggering the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy and related tissue. According to the Mayo Clinic, potential risks of chemical abortion include:
- An incomplete abortion, which may require a surgical procedure
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive symptoms such as an upset stomach
Because chemical abortion typically takes place at home without medical supervision, it’s important to know the warning signs of complications and have access to follow-up or emergency care. Complications like infection and heavy bleeding can escalate quickly; you always want to ensure you have a plan for what to do if anything goes wrong.
Risks of Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortion procedures, such as dilation and curettage (D&C), are performed in a clinical or hospital setting. An abortion provider dilates (opens) the cervix with drugs or surgical instruments, then manually removes the pregnancy and related tissue through a mixture of suction and scraping.
The potential risks include:
- Perforation of the uterus (when a surgical instrument creates a hole in the uterus)
- Damage to the cervix, which may require medication, pressure, or stitches to repair
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall (Asherman’s syndrome) can lead to painful or absent periods, future miscarriages, or infertility.
- Infection
Make an Informed Decision
Understanding the risks of abortion is only one part of the process. You also need to know more about your pregnancy, including its location and gestational age, which can only be confirmed by an ultrasound. These details will reveal your options and protect your safety.
Aid for Women is here to support you with accurate information, free pregnancy services, and compassionate care. While we do not provide or refer for abortions, we are committed to helping you explore all your options in a safe and respectful environment.
Take the next step by scheduling your free, confidential visit and get the clarity you need to make an informed choice for your health and future.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.