Understanding an abortion’s, expected physical effects, possible complications, and factors that could affect your individual risk can help you ask more specific questions before making a pregnancy decision.
At Hope Clinic, we offer free, confidential pregnancy services and options education. Schedule an appointment to learn more about your pregnancy and discuss any questions you have.
What Physical Effects Can You Expect?
The abortion pill uses two drugs: mifepristone followed by misoprostol, taken 24 to 48 hours later. The FDA-approved regimen is for an intrauterine pregnancy through 10 weeks of gestation.
Cramping and vaginal bleeding are expected. Other common side effects include nausea, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, and fever or chills, which should be reported to a provider right away if they are experienced for more than 24 hours after taking misoprostol.
A surgical abortion is performed in a medical setting using suction, surgical instruments, or both. The method generally depends on gestational age. Cramping, spotting, and bleeding may occur during recovery.
What Are the Possible Complications?
Medical abortion carries the possibility of sustained fever, severe abdominal pain, fainting, prolonged heavy bleeding, infection, an incomplete abortion requiring additional treatment, or an ongoing pregnancy if the drugs do not end the pregnancy.
Potential complications of surgical abortion include heavy bleeding, infection, pregnancy tissue remaining in the uterus, and injury to the cervix or uterus. Scar tissue may develop inside the uterus following dilation and curettage.
Your health history and the drugs you take may also affect your risk. For example, the FDA states that women with certain bleeding disorders or who currently take blood thinners should not use the abortion pill regimen because of the risk of heavy bleeding.
A healthcare provider can evaluate how your health history relates to the method you are considering.
Learn More About Your Pregnancy First
A positive pregnancy test cannot determine gestational age, pregnancy location, or whether the pregnancy appears to be progressing. These details may affect which physical effects and risks are relevant to your circumstances.
Hope Clinic for Women offers free, confidential limited obstetric ultrasounds to those who qualify. If your pregnancy test was performed elsewhere, the center will need a verification form from your healthcare provider before scheduling an ultrasound. You can also schedule a free pregnancy test at Hope Clinic.
Contact Hope Clinic for Women to schedule an appointment and begin with education about your pregnancy and health.
Hope Clinic for Women does not provide or refer for abortions.