What are the risks of a surgical abortion?
Abortion at any given point in pregnancy is a relatively safe procedure and serious complications are rare. The earlier an abortion is done, the safer it is and lesser are the complications. However, you should know that sometimes complications can arise and you should be informed about them by your healthcare team. Excessive vaginal bleeding can occur during an abortion. However it is much more common in medical abortion as compared to surgical abortion. The bigger the pregnancy to be aborted, higher are the chances of bleeding. It is estimated to occur in 1-5 per 1000 abortions and sometimes the blood loss can be severe enough to require blood transfusions.
Damage to cervix and uterus may happen in 1 per 1000 cases. Abortion is a blind procedure and at times perforation due to the instruments used can happen especially if the uterus is tilted upwards or downwards. At times additional surgery in the form of laparoscopy or open surgery may be required as part of treatment. One in ten women undergoing an abortion may develop infection in the uterus. This infection can come from your own vagina or from surgical instruments or unhygienic way of doing abortion. Taking antibiotics would reduce the risk of infection. However, if you develop pain in your lower abdomen or fever with bad smelling discharge from the vagina you must contact your doctor immediately.
There is a small risk that all the contents of pregnancy may not get cleared and some of them are retained inside. Further treatment may be required to clear the uterus. Getting the abortion under ultrasound guidance may reduce the risk.
For any further information about Abortion.