If you are looking into abortion, wondering what could go wrong is a normal part of thinking through a medical decision, and asking that question early is a sign you are taking your health seriously.
You do not have to sort through this alone or piece it together from search results. Our team at McDowell Pregnancy Care Center offers accurate information about abortion procedures and risks at no cost, in a setting that stays confidential. Schedule an appointment or call us at (828) 652-7676 to talk it through with someone in person.
Start by Confirming the Pregnancy
Before learning about abortion risks, it’s important to know how your pregnancy is developing.
Three details will tell you your available options: how far along you are, whether the pregnancy is progressing, and whether the pregnancy is growing inside your uterus.
While a lab-quality pregnancy test only confirms the presence of the hormone hCG, an ultrasound dates and measures the pregnancy, revealing the three essential health details.
Both services are free at our center, and you can walk in Monday through Thursday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. without an appointment.
Risks of Medical Abortion
Medical abortion, often called the abortion pill, uses two drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol.
Mifepristone blocks progesterone, the hormone that sustains a pregnancy. Misoprostol is then taken 24 to 48 hours later and causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy. The FDA has approved mifepristone for use up to 10 weeks from the first day of your last menstrual period.
Abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding happen as part of the process, and the drugs can also cause an upset stomach, vomiting, fever, chills, diarrhea, or headache.
Beyond those expected effects, the possible risks include:
- An incomplete abortion, meaning the body does not release all the pregnancy tissue. This one may require a surgical procedure to resolve.
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive symptoms
Risks of Surgical Abortion
A surgical abortion happens in a hospital, clinic, or medical office. The provider opens the cervix with dilation through instruments or drugs and then removes the pregnancy tissue and developing embryo or fetus from the uterus using a suction and scraping instrument called a curette.
Mild cramping and light bleeding typically continue for a few days.
Risks of surgical abortion include:
- Perforation of the uterus
- Damage to the cervix
- Infection
- Scar tissue forming on the uterine wall, which can lead to irregular, absent, or painful periods and can affect future fertility.
Get Answers To Your Questions
Understanding all your options can help you feel more confident and informed, no matter what you choose. Our staff will sit down with you, answer your questions, and give you accurate information without pressure.
We do not offer or refer for abortions. What we do offer is free pregnancy testing, free ultrasounds, and truthful conversations about where you stand.
Schedule your free, confidential appointment or call (828) 652-7676.