Abortion comes with serious risks, whether done with abortion pills or a surgical procedure.
One possible complication is an incomplete abortion, which means that pregnancy tissue or parts of the pregnancy remain inside the uterus. This can lead to heavy bleeding and infection, which can be life-threatening.
Your health and safety matter. Find care nearby and speak with a medical professional about your pregnancy and options, and receive the support you need.
If you have already taken the abortion pill and are concerned about your symptoms, seek emergency care as soon as you can. Incomplete abortion and infection can escalate quickly.
What Is an Incomplete Abortion?
An incomplete abortion can happen after a medical abortion (the abortion pill) or a surgical abortion. This means that some pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus instead of being fully expelled.
Medical abortion, an FDA-approved method for use only through 10 weeks gestation,* involves taking two drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol, to end and expel an early pregnancy. While many women complete the process without complications, there is a known risk that some tissue can be left behind, which will require additional medical treatment.
An incomplete abortion after a surgical abortion isn’t as likely because an abortion provider would manually remove the pregnancy and related tissue from the uterus. However, incomplete abortion and infection can still occur in some cases.
Signs of an Incomplete Abortion
The following symptoms should not be ignored, as they can indicate an incomplete abortion.
- Heavy bleeding (soaking two or more pads per hour for two consecutive hours)
- Severe abdominal or pelvic pain that does not improve
- Fever that lasts more than four hours or begins days after taking misoprostol
- Chills or body aches
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Continued symptoms of pregnancy
- Enlarged, tender uterus
- Missed menstrual period while you aren’t breastfeeding
An incomplete abortion can lead to infection or prolonged bleeding if left untreated. In some cases, a follow-up surgical procedure may be required to remove the remaining tissue.
Take Care of Your Reproductive Health
It’s essential to know the potential complications of abortion before making any decisions. While some women may not have any issues getting pregnant after an abortion, complications increase the chance of infertility and pelvic inflammatory disease.
Being aware of the risks and their signs is crucial. You should also verify your pregnancy details to safeguard your health.
Find care nearby for local ultrasound services at no cost. There are many providers available to help you.
*Abortion is currently legal in Florida up to six weeks of pregnancy. This means certain procedures may not be available in this state.