If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and considering an abortion, it’s important to know all the facts in order to make the best decision for your health.
There are risks and side effects to an abortion procedure—and those risks can affect both your physical body as well as your mental health. Below are some key facts to help empower you to make an informed decision about your pregnancy.
What Happens During an Abortion?
There are two types of abortion: medical and surgical.
A medical abortion, also commonly called “the abortion pill”, is used in the early stages (the first 10 weeks) of pregnancy. A medical abortion involves a series of two medicines.
The first pill is called mifepristone, which blocks your body from producing the pregnancy hormone known as progesterone, causing the fertilized egg to detach from the uterine wall.
The next pill you take is called misoprostol, and this medicine will cause your uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy from your body through your vagina.
Surgical abortion is the type of abortion that is used in the later stages of pregnancy and is an invasive medical procedure conducted by trained medical professionals. During a surgical abortion, your cervix is dilated, and medical instruments are inserted into your uterus to remove the pregnancy and any related tissue.
What Happens After an Abortion?
After an abortion, you may experience mild to severe side effects that can include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal cramping
- Vaginal bleeding
- Headache
- Diarrhea
There are also known physical risks to an abortion that can be dangerous to your health. Symptoms that you will want to be aware of that could indicate a complication has arisen include:
- Fever
- Cramps lasting more than 48 hours
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Lasting dizziness or lightheadedness
- Bleeding that is heavy enough that pads need to be changed every hour for more than two hours
- Pain that worsens instead of improving
If you experience any of these symptoms after an abortion, seek medical help right away to protect your health.
While the physical risks of abortion have been medically documented for several decades, recent research has also indicated the risk of mental health effects after an abortion.
According to the National Library of Medicine, you may feel these emotions after an abortion:
- Loss
- Grief
- Anxiety
- Sadness
- Depression
Get the Answers You Need
It’s your health and your future, so you deserve to know all the facts about your pregnancy and options. The staff at Palm Beach Women’s Clinic can answer your questions, listen to your concerns, and provide you with valuable information about your pregnancy with an ultrasound scan—all at no cost to you.
Contact us today to schedule your no-cost and confidential appointment and start getting the answers you need.