When some of the pregnancy tissue remains after a medical abortion, or when bacteria are introduced into your uterus during a surgical abortion, you’re at risk for experiencing a potentially life-threatening infection.
Keep reading to familiarize yourself with the most common symptoms of an infection after an abortion.
Signs and Symptoms of a Post-Abortion Infection
Whether you receive a medical or surgical abortion, the signs of a potential infection might include:
- Heavy bleeding — soaking two or more pads an hour for two hours
- Severe abdominal or back pain
- Fever lasting more than 24 hours
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
This list isn’t complete. If you’ve had an abortion and are experiencing concerning symptoms, it’s critical to seek medical intervention as soon as possible.
Other Risks of Abortion
To make an informed choice about your pregnancy, you need to make sure you understand the risks associated with getting an abortion. While incomplete abortion and infection are two primary risks of abortion, other risks of a medical abortion include:
- Heavy bleeding- soaking one pad per hour
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
Other risks of surgical abortion include:
- Uterine perforation (which is the surgical instruments poke a hole in your uterus)
- Uterine scarring (which can cause painful periods or future infertility)
- Cervical damage
How to Protect Your Health
At the Pregnancy Help Center of West Houston, we offer free ultrasounds that provide additional information about your pregnancy, such as the pregnancy’s gestational age, location, and viability.
It is important to gather this information before an abortion. For example, if you’ve had a miscarriage or if the pregnancy is located outside the uterus, having an elective abortion won’t address those issues.
If you’ve already had an abortion, we also provide post-abortion support and can connect you to classes to help you process this experience.
Contact us today to schedule a free, confidential appointment. You’re not alone in this. We’re here for you.