What are the Most Common Abortion Problems?

While abortion is generally considered a fairly safe procedure when performed by a trained medical professional, there are some common abortion problems that women may experience after the procedure. These problems can vary depending on the type of abortion performed and at what point in the pregnancy it is done. Medical abortions, where drugs are used to terminate the pregnancy, typically cause moderate to heavy bleeding and cramping, and many women also have flu-like symptoms such as headache, nausea, and chills. Women who have surgical abortions can also expect to have bleeding for a period of time, plus issues like cramping, nausea, and sometimes feelings of faintness after the procedure. The later the abortion is performed during the pregnancy, the higher the likelihood of more severe complications like uterine perforation, infection, or incomplete removal of tissue from the uterus.

Ending a pregnancy through the use of drugs like mifepristone, methotrexate, and misoprostol can lead to certain common abortion problems. While all women who have this procedure will have a certain amount of bleeding, it may be heavier for some and accompanied by painful cramping. It is also fairly common, within the first day or so after the drugs are administered, for the patient to feel symptoms similar to having a cold or the flu; headache, gastrointestinal issues like vomiting or diarrhea, and fever with accompanying aches, chills, and fatigue can all occur.

Many women experience some mild to moderate abortion problems from surgical procedures as well. As with medical abortions, many women will have fairly heavy bleeding and uterine cramping for some time, from days to weeks. It is not uncommon for women to feel sweaty, faint, or dizzy shortly after the procedure is done. They may also experience feelings of nausea for a period afterward.

The potential for serious abortion problems increases with the length of the pregnancy at the time of the procedure. There is a greater chance that the cervix or uterus will be damaged while the abortion is being done. Women are more likely to hemorrhage or get blood clots, and they are also more susceptible to infection after they have the procedure done. Another problem that happens more frequently with a late abortion is that some of the products of conception are left behind in the uterus, which may then require the woman to have a second procedure to completely clear them.