If you are pregnant and this is not a time or circumstance when you planned or want to be, you may be considering abortion as one of your options. If you are considering abortion, you may also be wondering about abortion risks.
Avenue Women’s Center can help with your questions about abortion and pregnancy, including abortion risks. Our trained and nonjudgmental staff has been working with Chicagoland women in situations similar to yours for over 35 years. At the same time, we understand that every woman’s situation is unique. We hope you will call or text us today and allow us to help you navigate through your experience as well.
Women who are wondering about abortion risks may be concerned about immediate health risks or long term complications.
How will an abortion impact my health right now? This question comes from athletes, women who are concerned about taking time off work, people with additional medical issues, or women who have never had surgery or taken strong medications before.
While rare, possible problems from a medication or surgical abortion include*:
- Damage to the uterus or cervix
- Too much bleeding
- Infection
- Reaction to medications
- Incomplete abortion (not removing all of the tissue)
How will an abortion impact my health in the future? Women asking this question are often concerned about conceiving or carrying a pregnancy later on.
While rare, possible long-term issues from abortion may include:
- Increased risk of preterm birth**
- Difficulty becoming pregnant
In general, complications become more likely when the pregnancy is further along.***
In addition to physical risks, some studies have shown evidence of emotional risks. Each woman’s reaction to an abortion is different, and is influence by her situation, her beliefs, and her emotional health before the procedure.
Information about abortion risks can be confusing. Studies and experts disagree and contradict one another. It can be difficult to understand how a statistical probability should influence your decision. When you are weighing your possible risks, concerns, and benefits of abortion, we hope you will call Avenue Women’s Center. Our caring staff members are here for you. We have four locations in DuPage County to serve you: Elmhurst, Glen Ellyn / Lombard, Naperville, and Wood Dale, Illinois. We would be honored to assist you today.
Our articles provide some general information, but are not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you are planning to get an abortion, you should discuss your personal medical history and abortion risks with your doctor.
*This summary of abortion risks is adapted from the MedlinePlus.gov description of surgical abortion and medication abortion.)
*** Medscape.com
The information provided here is general in nature. It is not a substitute for a consultation with a medical professional. Before any medical procedure, it is imperative that you discuss your personal medical history, risks, and concerns with your doctor. If you have questions during or after a procedure, your doctor should be immediately contacted. Avenue Women’s Center is not an emergency center. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, such as bleeding and/or pain, seek immediate medical attention. Contact your physician, go to an emergency room, or call 911.