An abortion, whether surgical or using a pill, is a medical procedure, so it is important to know the potential risks to your health both before an abortion as well as symptoms to watch for if you’ve already had an abortion. One of those potential risks is an incomplete abortion.
What is an Incomplete Abortion?
An incomplete abortion can happen after a pregnancy has been terminated. It occurs when the remains of the pregnancy are not completely expelled from the uterus.
There is a risk for an incomplete abortion in both surgical and medical abortions, but the risk can be greater in the event of using an abortion pill without medical supervision, in the wrong dosage, or at the incorrect gestation age of the pregnancy.
Symptoms of an Incomplete Abortion
It is important to seek medical attention right away if you suspect you have had an incomplete abortion as there can be a serious risk of infection. Symptoms of an incomplete abortion can include:
- Moderate to severe vaginal bleeding (saturating more than one pad an hour)
- Lower abdominal and/or pain
- Pain in the back, buttocks, genitalia, and perineum
- Passing blood clots
- A fever
Typically an incomplete abortion is treated by conducting another abortion procedure to ensure any remaining tissue from the pregnancy is removed from the uterus.
Know Your Options
If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy it’s important to know all your options. As with any medical procedure, there is a chance for risks and side effects, so you’ll want to make sure you have all the information you need to make the best decision for your health.
The team at Sienna Women’s Health Clinic can provide you with important details about your pregnancy, such as location and gestation age, to give you the information needed to make the best decision for your health and future.
Contact us to schedule a no-cost, confidential appointment, and start getting the support and answers you need.
