Infection is a risk associated with abortion. If you’re considering abortion, it’s critical to be aware of the warning signs of infection to protect your health.
Read on to learn more about the warning signs that may indicate an infection after abortion. Or, if you want to talk with someone about abortion and your other pregnancy options, contact Vie Medical Clinic to schedule a free, confidential appointment with one of our nurses.
How Abortion Can Lead to Infection
There are two types of abortion—medical and surgical—and infection is a risk associated with both procedures.
Medical Abortion
Medical abortion, also referred to as the “abortion pill,” happens at home, and it involves taking two powerful drugs that terminate and expel the pregnancy from your uterus.
However, sometimes, parts of the terminated pregnancy remain in your uterus. This event is known as an incomplete abortion, and it’s a risk of medical abortion that can quickly lead to an infection.
Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortion is performed in a clinic, and it involves dilating the cervix so that medical instruments can enter the uterus to terminate and remove the pregnancy.
Infection is a risk of surgical abortion, and it occurs when parts of the terminated pregnancy remain in the uterus or when the medical instruments introduce bacteria into the uterus.
Signs of Infection After Abortion
Signs that you may be experiencing an infection after abortion 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
If you are experiencing any of these signs of infection or are having other concerning symptoms following an abortion, go to your nearest emergency room immediately. And be sure to let them know that you recently had an abortion and are worried about infection to ensure that you receive proper care.
How to Protect Your Health
No matter what option you’re considering for your pregnancy, getting an ultrasound is an essential way to protect your health.
This simple scan can help give you the key information you need to know about your pregnancy, including:
- Age: This is especially important if you’re considering abortion since the abortion drugs are only FDA-approved through the first ten weeks of pregnancy. If your pregnancy is further along, this puts you at a greater risk of experiencing complications, like infection.
- Location: Sometimes, a pregnancy develops outside the uterus. This is known as an ectopic pregnancy, and it’s a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate treatment.
- Viability: Roughly 26% of pregnancies end in miscarriage, and it’s possible to experience one without immediate signs. If you’re having a miscarriage, you will need medical follow-up to ensure you don’t have complications.
At Vie Medical Clinic, we offer free, limited ultrasounds because we care about your health.
Facing an unplanned pregnancy can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone in this. We’re here for you. Contact us today to schedule a free, confidential appointment with one of our nurses.
